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https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/dec/27/uruguays-green-power-revolution-rapid-shift-to-wind-shows-the-world-how-its-done>
"It was the 2000s, and fossil fuel prices were rising worldwide. After a period
of volatility in the 1980s, the crude oil price per barrel had reached one of
its lowest points – $20 – at the end of 2001 but then, over the course of six
years, it tripled before a new oil shock saw prices surpass those of the 1970s,
reaching a record $145 a barrel on 3 July 2008.
Uruguay imports its oil, so it had a problem. Demand for energy in the country
had grown by 8.4% the previous year and household energy bills were increasing
at a similar rate. The 3.4 million-strong population was becoming restless.
Lacking alternatives, President Tabaré Vázquez was forced to buy energy from
neighbouring states at higher prices, even though Argentina, Uruguay and
Paraguay had a mutual aid agreement in case of emergency conditions.
To escape the trap, Vázquez needed rapid solutions. He turned to an unlikely
source: Ramón Méndez Galain, a physicist who would transform the country’s
energy grid into one of the cleanest in the world.
Today, the country has almost phased out fossil fuels in electricity
production. Depending on the weather, anything between 90% and 95% of its power
comes from renewables. In some years, that number has crept as high as 98%.
Phasing out fossil fuels was a central issue at Cop28. After a week of tense
negotiations in Dubai, countries agreed to transition away from fossil fuels
within energy systems – but campaigners, governments and environmental experts
continue to debate how to make that transition.
One answer could lie in what Uruguay has achieved within a decade and a half."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
