Uruguay is a high-income country in Latin America and the Caribbean with 3.4 million people, most of them living in cities. Heat makes up 55% of the energy it uses, above the world average of about 47%.
Most of the heat comes from wood and other biomass (81%), followed by oil (18%). Just 19% of the heat comes from coal, oil and gas. Electricity, apart from household heating, makes up 16% of energy use and is generated largely from wind and solar (41%).
The country
| Population | 3.4 million2025 |
|---|---|
| GDP per capita | US$ 25,2002025 |
| Area | 176,200 km²2024 |
| Urban population | 96%2025 |
| Access to electricity | 100%2024 |
| Access to clean cooking | 99%2024 |
| Final energy use | 62 TWh2023 |
Where the energy goes
- Heat55%
- Electricity16%
- Transport29%
Heat in five numbers
| Heatshare of all final energy use | 55% |
|---|---|
| Fossil heatshare of heat that comes from coal, oil and gas | 19% |
| Biomass and wastethe largest single source of heat | 81% |
| Electricityshare of final energy use, excluding transport and household heating | 16% |
| Fossil electricityshare of electricity generated from coal, oil and gas | 8% |
Heat is all fuel and district heating used in industry, buildings and agriculture, plus the electricity households use for heating, hot water and cooking. Electricity that becomes heat in offices and industry is counted as electricity, so the true heat share is somewhat higher. Fossil heat and the largest source are shares of the fuel and district heating part.
Brazil
Mexico
Argentina
Colombia
Chile
Peru
Venezuela
Guatemala