If Uruguay can generate 94pc renewable energy, why can’t we?

ISLAMABAD: Reading about the climate change summit in Paris it was interesting to note that Uruguay announced that a whopping 94.5 percent of its electricity now comes from renewable sources.

The fact that Uruguay has accomplished this and the ways in which it did so are an encouraging sign that any nation can make this transition without increasing consumer costs. Uruguay’s national director of energy said that his country achieved this high percentage of renewable energy through “clear decision making; a supportive regulatory environment and a strong partnership between the public and private sector.”

What was even more interesting to read was that Uruguay accomplished this transition without price hikes for consumers and without government subsides! The dramatic shift from an electricity importing country to one which is self sufficient took less than ten years and without government funding, lowering electricity costs and slashing the country's carbon footprint. Information on the internet says that besides wind farms - which provide most of the electricity – the country also utilises other renewable means so that it is not dependent solely on these wind farms. Construction and maintenance costs are low so as long as investors are given a secure environment, they find it attractive to invest in this kind of energy production.

In Pakistan there are reports that the energy production that is ongoing these days will cost the consumer more and whether that’s true or not, it gives rise to fears that the already inflated bills we receive will be even more than usually high. So, again, if Uruguay can do it why can’t we?  

Uruguay, officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, is a country in the south eastern region of South America. It borders Argentina to its west and Brazil to its north and east, with the Río de la Plata (River of Silver) to the south and with the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast. Uruguay is home to an estimated 3.42 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the metropolitan area of its capital and largest city, Montevideo. With an area of approximately 176,000 square kilometers (68,000 sq mi), Uruguay is geographically the second-smallest nation in South America.