MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Uruguayan homes pay highest power rates and fuel prices in South America

Think twice before saying “fill her up”

Uruguayan homes pay the dearest rates for power in South America and the highest fuel prices in the region, including taxes, according to a paper from the Argentine energy consultants Montamat & Asociados, released last month.

Depending on monthly consumption, Uruguayan homes pay between 0.222 and 0.243 US dollars for KW/tour, ten times the rate in the Argentine provinces of Buenos Aires, Santa Fe and Cordoba, among the lowest in the region.

At the other extreme is the Dominican Republic, 0.257 to 0.279 US dollars, according to consultants Montamat & Associates.

Something similar happens with fuel particularly diesel and high grade gasoline, among the highest in the region.

Diesel in Uruguay at the pump costs 1.70 US dollars a litre compared to one dollar on average in Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Peru, and 80 US cents in Argentina.

Regarding high grade gasoline, Paraguayan consumers pay the highest if taxes are not included (just over one US dollar per litre), but Uruguay ranks first if taxes are included, 1.72 US dollars per litre, 20 cents more than in Paraguay.

The cheapest high grade gasoline can be purchased at pumps in Peru, Chile and Brazil. In sugar cane producing Brazil gasoline has a percentage of ethanol.

The report does not include OPEC country members Venezuela and Ecuador where fuel prices are below refining costs.

Contrary to the rest of the South American continent Uruguay and Paraguay have no fossil energy.