MONTEVIDEO, Feb 19 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — Uruguay will import electric energy from Argentina to reduce generation costs, increased by the persistent drought, it was informed.
The heat wave has reduced the flow of hydroelectric sources, which are the most important in the national energy production.
Uruguay also buys energy from Brazil due to the high cost of fuel used by its thermoelectric power plants, according to El Observador newspaper.
Imports are used to cover specific parts of the demand and to reduce the costs of starting up the thermal power plants, with an estimated saving of US$800,000 per day in the purchase of diesel.
Information from a week ago reported the sale of Uruguayan wind energy to Argentina in the early hours of the morning, in order to complete the supply of the neighboring country’s electricity system, also affected by the heat wave.
Although it rained in the last few days, and in some areas the rainfall was abundant, weather forecasts do not anticipate any improvement in water situation, which also affects the production chain, especially agriculture and livestock, sectors declared in emergency by the government. — NNN-PRENSA LATINA
