Environment & Energy

Their base load was supplied by their own dams and peak loads were supplied by imported hydroelectric power from neighboring nations.

When their domestic demand began to exceed the capacity of this system they began to build gas and biomass fueled power plants.

Then, in a much celebrated move, they started building large wind "farms" and increased the capacity of their grid connections to neighboring nations.

When the wind blows they can export electricity and/or release less water through the turbines of their dams.

It's disingenuous to claim they've made any kind of "transition." They've simply supplemented their existing hydroelectric resources with wind power. There are limits to how far they can take this. Droughts or disputes with neighbors could take down the entire system.

As it stands today, Uruguay's carbon intensity is about five times that of nuclear France.

I also take issue with calling biomass power plants "green." They are notorious sources of air pollution. Running them cleanly adds significantly to costs and there are too many incentives to cheat. Uruguay get's about 18% of its electricity from biomass incinerators.

Uruguay's experience is not applicable to regions that do not have substantial hydroelectric resources or neighbors willing to take their excess wind energy when the supply exceeds demand.