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The electricity sector is regulated by the National Electricity Law, the Framework Law Regulating the Electricity Sector, and various decrees. During the review period, a number of decrees and resolutions were issued concerning the sector, including in particular a decree promoting government procurement of electricity generated from solar energy by means of direct negotiation; a decree creating new rules for the sale of electricity generated from wind and solar energy; and four decrees relating to the creation of a new regime for industrial consumers of electricity that also produce electricity from wind energy.

The National Electricity Plants and Transmission Authority (UTE), a state owned company, continues to participate in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity and is the country's only power transmission company. It has hydraulic, thermal and wind generation plants. The private sector can participate in the power generation market, and its participation increased considerably during the review period, particularly in the generation of electricity from wind, solar and biomass resources. In 2016, 33% of Uruguay's total installed capacity was in the hands of private companies.

Imports of various manufactures that are not produced in Uruguay, such as (…) and solar panels, are entirely exempted from customs duties and charges, and in some cases internal taxes (VAT and IMESI)

In 2017, there was a ban on imports of some products of the chemicals industry, plastics and transport equipment (diesel engines and kits and used vehicles). In the case of transport equipment, the purpose of the ban is to reduce diesel consumption for environmental and road safety reasons (...)

The manufacturing sector can also benefit from various credit lines offered by the BROU that are specifically aimed at promoting industrial development in Uruguay. (…) The credit may be used to finance both short term and long term needs, to support a project from the start and/or develop new activities. (...) Long term loans are used to (...) renewable energy, (...)

Table A3. 1 Special registration requirements for importing specified products, 2018
Product Requirement Registration/issuing authority Legal basis
(…)
Finished or preformed packages or their raw materials Registration of the importer MVOTMA/DINAMA Law No. 18.996 of 7 November 2011
DNA General Resolution No. 44/2014 (Control procedure for the importation of products which must comply with the requirements for the environmental management of wastes derived from the use of chemical or biological products in agriculture, vegetable and fruit growing and forestry) DNA Order No. 11/2011 (Procedure for requesting authorization to import products and packaging outright)

Table A3. 4 Plant and animal health legislation, 2018
Legislation
(…)
Law No. 16.170 of 28 December 1990: Empowers the Government to prohibit the use, sale or export of plants, products or by products of plant origin polluted with pesticide residues at levels exceeding those laid down in the Codex Alimentarius or by the relevant requirements of the country of destination.
(...)
Law No. 18.719 of 27 December 2010: (...) The Law empowers the MGAP's DGSA and DGSG to carry out controls and prohibit the consumption, use, marketing, sale, import, export or any other form of entry into or exit from Uruguay of (...) , veterinary products or biological residues or other pollutants,(...)
(...)
Decrees
(...)
Decree No. 113/990 of 21 February 1990: Provides that any natural or legal person preparing or marketing the products covered by Decree No. 149/977 must be registered with the DGSA within the time limits and under the terms and conditions determined, and imposes requirements concerning the sale of pesticides presenting a maximum risk for human health and the environment.
(...)
Decree No. 353 of 21 July 2008, Decree No. 535 of 3 November 2008 and Decree No. 280 of 8 June 2009: Create a regulatory framework for genetically modified living organisms.
Decree No. 576/009 of 15 December 2009: Entrusts to the MGAP's DGSG the investigation of veterinary medicine residues and environmental pollutants in agricultural establishments and animal product manufacturing plants.

Table A3. 6 State enterprises, 2018
Industrial and commercial Creation Functions Regime
(…)
National Electricity Plants and Transmission Authority (UTE) Resolution No. 471/07 of 20.07.2007 Authorizes the generation of electricity from biomass for the national grid Decree No. 58/08 of 01.02.2008 The purchase by the UTE of electrical energy and power from free zones is exempt from all surcharges, the single customs import tax, the handling charge and port dues and in general from all import taxes Law No. 18.719 of 27.12.2010 Development of Alternative Energy Projects (Article 421) Monopoly

Table A3. 7 Public limited companies wholly or partially owned by the State, 2016
Organization Name State participation Main activity
(…)
ANCAP
Gas Sayago S.A. 20.65% Development of (...) environmental,(...) studies for the construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) reheater in Uruguay, together with its operation and maintenance, and the purchase, transport and storage of the liquefied gas and the marketing of the natural gas obtained from its regasification. (...)
UTE
SOLFIRAL S.A. 100% Wind power projects. Not operational.
ROUAR S.A. 50% Planning, establishment, construction, buying and selling, administration, operation, maintenance and/or business management of electricity generating plants, together with the production of energy from non traditional renewable sources
Gas Sayago S.A. 79.35% Development of (...) environmental, (...) studies for the construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasifier in Uruguay, together with its operation and maintenance and the purchase, transport and storage of liquefied gas and the marketing of the natural gas obtained from its regasification.
Not operational
AREAFLIN S.A. 20% Planning, establishment, construction, buying and selling, administration, operation, maintenance and/or business management of electricity generating plants, together with the production of energy from non traditional renewable sources
Fideicomiso financiero Pampa 20.08% Building, operating and maintaining a wind farm at Pampa, in the Tacuarembó department
Fideicomiso financiero Arias 20% Building, operating and maintaining a wind farm at Colonia Arias, in the Flores department
Fideicomiso de administración del Fondo de Estabilización Energética 100% Energy stabilization fund to reduce the possible adverse impact of water shortages on the financial situation of the UTE and public finances
(...)

Table A3. 8 Overview of intellectual property rights in Uruguay, 2018
Legal framework Subject matter/scope Duration Comments, exclusions and limitations
Patents
Law No. 17.164 New inventions, whether products or processes, which involve an inventive step and are capable of industrial application, pharmaceuticals and agro-chemicals included 20 years from the date of filing the application, non renewable (...)The following are not patentable: (...) inventions prejudicial to (...) the environment.