Uruguay’s primary energy supply also shifted toward renewables: biomass grew by 5%, while petroleum and derivatives declined by 4%, resulting in 64% of energy supply coming from renewable sources compared to 35% from non-renewables. The industrial sector consumed the largest share of electricity at 52%, followed by transport at 25%. Notably, electrification of transport advanced markedly, tripling electricity usage in that sector in 2025, although it still accounts for only about 1% of total electricity consumption.
Regional electricity trade exhibited significant volatility. Uruguay halved its electricity exports to roughly 1,022 GWh in 2025, while imports surged ninetyfold to 633 GWh. These shifts reflect strategic use of cross-border energy flows with Argentina and Brazil, reportedly importing primarily in peak demand periods and exporting surplus energy otherwise. Despite the doubling of the carbon emission factor to 12 tCO2/GWh, Uruguay’s emission intensity remained among the lowest in the past decade, consistent with its low reliance on fossil fuels.
Overall, Uruguay’s 2025 energy profile indicates robust renewable generation capacity, increasing internal consumption, particularly in transport, and a dynamic role in the regional electricity market. Continued integration with neighboring grids and advances in electrification position Uruguay for sustained energy transition progress.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
