Uruguay's leap into renewable energy: a model for the world

Uruguay has nearly eliminated fossil fuels in electricity production, showcasing a successful transition to renewable energy.

Sam Meadows reports for The Guardian.

In short:

Uruguay, once heavily reliant on imported oil, now generates up to 98% of its electricity from renewable sources, primarily wind power.
The transformation, led by physicist Ramón Méndez Galain, involved installing about 50 windfarms.
This shift not only reduced dependency on fossil fuels but also created approximately 50,000 new jobs, demonstrating a successful model for other countries.

Key quote:

"I told people this was the best option even if they don't believe climate change exists. It's the cheapest and not dependent on crazy fluctuations [in oil prices]."

— Ramón Méndez Galain, former Uruguayan Energy Secretary

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www.theguardian.com

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