Uruguay has emerged as a global leader in renewable energy integration, with its energy storage power stations playing a pivotal role in stabilizing the grid. Over 98% of the country's electricity now comes from renewables, primarily wind and solar. Of the installed capacity, about 29% is hydropower, accounting for 1,538 MW which includes half of the capacity of the Argentina-Uruguay bi-national Salto Grande, a similar share. In Uruguay, the enactment of Law No. 16,832 of June 1997 (hereinafter, "MMEE Framework Law") created a Regulatory Framework for Electric Energy that determined that the generation of electric energy did not constitute a public service and enabled this activity to be carried out by any agent. Imagine a giant battery that could store enough renewable energy to power entire cities during peak demand. The country offers lessons in energy sovereignty and the importance of community engagement in lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Hydropower had already been tapped, and blackouts were.
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