Q COSTARICA — The Cámara de Industrias de Costa Rica (CICR)—Costa Rican Chamber of Industries, endorsed the rate reduction approved by the regulator of public services, the Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos (ARESEP, for 2026, after confirming that the regulator’s estimates regarding the Variable Generation Cost (VGC) are not only technically correct, but also supported by operational evidence from the National Electric System (SEN) and are important for strengthening the country’s competitiveness.
According to the rate analysis, the VGC for 2026 totals -¢34.274 billion, which translates into significant reductions in final rates for all users in the country. These reductions are primarily due to the lower thermal generation required for next year, as determined by ARESEP after applying the current methodology and verifying the actual availability of renewable energy sources, fuel prices, and the historical performance of the electricity system.
“At a time when businesses are facing increasing pressure from exchange rates, high social security contributions, insecurity, deficient infrastructure, and global uncertainty, a technically sound tariff reduction is a positive sign for investment, job creation, and the business climate. ARESEP’s decision confirms the importance of technical rigor and strictly applying the methodology to protect consumers and strengthen the country’s competitiveness,” said Sergio Capón Brenes, president of the Costa Rican Chamber of Industries.
The approved tariff reductions, which will benefit households, businesses, and industries alike, range from -4.95% for end consumers to -20.4% for direct users.
The CICR supports ARESEP because the thermal generation estimate presented by the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) does not reflect the actual needs of the National Electric System. ICE projected 716.8 GWh of thermal generation for 2026, while ARESEP, applying the current methodology and considering the actual availability of renewable resources and historical dispatch patterns, estimated only 290 GWh, a difference of -59.5% that would have generated more than ¢23 billion in avoidable costs.
The CICR recalled that ARESEP recently ratified several points raised by the industrial sector regarding ICE’s standard tariff (which does not include the CVG [a specific charge for gas, electricity, and gas]), identifying unjustified increases in operating and maintenance items, salaries, administrative expenses, R&D, and new positions. At that time, in line with the recommendations of the Costa Rican Chamber of Industries (CICR) (see CICR statement), the regulator adjusted macroeconomic assumptions and revised tariff calculations, resulting in a very different amount than the one originally proposed by the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE).
These corrections provide relief for consumers and established a technical precedent that is once again reflected in the current CVG estimate, preventing the transfer of non-essential costs or overestimations of thermal generation to consumers.
The Costa Rican Chamber of Industries reiterates its commitment to continue working diligently and consistently to promote a better business climate, advocating for regulatory decisions that strengthen the country’s competitiveness. We will continue to work, with technical rigor and a long-term vision, to create conditions that allow companies to grow, invest, and generate more and better jobs for all Costa Ricans.