QCOSTARICA – Clean energy sources have been used to generate 100% of the electricity this year in Costa Rica, the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), said.
“The year 2015 has been one of electricity totally friendly to the environment for Costa Rica. According to National Electric System figures, during January, February and so far in March (75 days), it has not been necessary to use hydrocarbons to supply the country’s grid,” the state-owned institution said in a statement.
Favorable rain conditions at four of the main hydroelectric power plants have helped generation, ICE said.
“With these conditions and the reserves accumulated to date, ICE estimates that the downward trend in rates for all consumers will continue in the second quarter,” the power agency said.
Costa Rica ranks No. 2 in Latin America, trailing only Uruguay, in providing electric service with a household coverage rate of 99.4 percent, according to the most recent World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Index.
Source: ICE
This should have been the case for many past years, not just this year. The use of imported petroleum products to fuel thermal electric generating plants has only been necessitated by the mis-management of ICE of other environmentally friendly electricity generating sources available within the Country, such as hydroelectric, wind, solar, and geothermal.
I agree, Rick. This report is a bit surprising, given that it was predicted that there would be insufficient water this year to power the hydroelectric plants.
This country is perfectly suited to clean energy, and it’s good to see more of these methods of generation used. It is especially important because fossil fuels must be imported, and apparently the agency that handles distribution is not very efficient (given that we still pay twice the rates for petroleum products than do other countries). I realize that some investment and maintenance is required for clean energy, but it is puzzling that electricity is still very expensive here. I’m glad that I live where A/C isn’t needed – I can’t imagine what people at the coasts pay for power.