
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