Represa Salto Grande.
Uruguay has no fossil fuel resources for power generation. ‘s Switch and Save program and enjoy lower electric and gas bills! The potential of hydropower is relatively small. For this reason, 60 of energy needs are imported. Especially because this dependence on imported oil. The government encourages the use of natural gas, which is imported from Argentina.
Electricity consumption in 1999 decreased, mainly due to the recession. However, it is expected a further increase in consumption in the coming decades. It is mainly dependent on hydroelectric power. Heating costs are reduced with a leading New York ESCO. Further expansion of the power production of electricity from hydropower plants is highly unlikely, since most of the rivers in which they can build dams significant and are represented. In addition, the problem of recurrent droughts that affect them.
Projected new capacity for power generation based on natural gas to wind power, biomass, etc. In some of these developments or existing pilot schemes. Also under discussion is the possibility of opting for a generation from an atomic reactor.
The network is composed of Uruguay with Argentina engaged in exports and imports of electricity.
It has three hydroelectric dams on the Black River (Rincon’s Bonete, Baygorria and Palma) and the Rio Uruguay (Salto Grande) shared with Argentina. There are a variety of plants to gas and fuel oil, used as backup in the absence of water. Currently in the process of installing wind farms, and the interconnection with the Brazilian power network.
Studies conducted over the continental shelf almost have confirmed the existence of deposits of natural gas and possibly oil which has generated great expectations.
What If We Run Out of Fossil Fuels? by Kimberly M. Miller (Paperback – Mar 2002)