It is possible to manage a nearly 100% renewable electricity system with a high share of wind and solar energy.
This is then commented by an anti-nuclear activist:
The nukesters keep saying this is impossible. They say you can’t have 100% renewables and 0% nuclear, but Uruguay just keeps doing it.
What is missing from the slide: yes, it is possible if your country has a geography enabling it to produce 40% dispatchable electricity from hydro power.
This is pretty much how most “100% #renewables” visions are being manipulated - you take a statement that is factually true, but exceptional and unique to a specific location, and generalize it for all countries. In this aspect Uruguay is similar to Sweden, Norway or Portugal, which have large share of electricity from hydro… and yet you don’t see countries like Germany or Austria preparing to flood new Alpine valleys to increase hydro power capacity.
"Depending on the weather, anything between 90% and 95% of its power comes from renewables
Galain says there needed to be a “strong national narrative” to make it work. “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].”"
Next, they're moving to electrify buses, taxis, and public vehicles.
I was going to say this is easier because Uruguay doesn't have an oil and gas industry.
However, they have just opened up their offshore waters to oil exploration 🙁
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%. #WindPower