Green Options » Uruguay

Uruguay Excited to Open Factory for ZAP! Electric Cars

Levi Novey — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:56:26 +0000

Uruguay has granted an acre of land to American-based electric car maker ZAP! for a factory. The country’s government hopes that ZAP! (Zero Air Pollution) cars will help improve Uruguay’s economy and also decrease air pollution. ZAP! had its best sales month yet in August and the push into Uruguay should only help the company broaden its market in South America.

6 Intriguing South American Eco-Stories from August

Levi Novey — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 02:53:58 +0000

Below you will find summaries and links to several of the more interesting ecologically-related stories to come out of South American countries in the past month. The list is not meant to be comprehensive or definitive, but hopefully you will find something that teases your interest. Enjoy.

Uruguay is Receiving Free HydroElectric Power from Brazil This Winter– Altruistic Gesture or Ugly Bargain?

Levi Novey — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:03:57 +0000

Several weeks ago, the International Herald Tribune reported that Brazil will lend some hydroelectric power to its neighboring country of Uruguay during July and August of this year, the coldest months of South America’s winter. Uruguay, like many South American countries, is currently struggling to meet its energy needs.

Under the arrangement, Uruguay will begin to pay back the energy to Brazil once the winter demand for electrical heating ends. For the past four years, similar arrangements have been made. Brazil is currently in negotiations with Uruguay to build a coal-powered thermoelectric plant near where the countries border. I can’t quite put my finger on why, but I find this rather simple news story intriguing.