Costa Rica has reported record-high electricity generation figures earlier this year, with 99.99% of electricity derived from renewable sources.
The National Energy Control Centre published these figures, which in May surpassed every recorded monthly electricity generation count.
These electricity output permitted the Costa Rican Institute of Electricity (ICE) to sell electricity from renewable sources to neighbouring Central American countries.
“This achievement is the result of the planning and optimization of resources of the national matrix, which protects its regulatory reservoirs in dry periods – like the one just faced – while increasing the geothermal quota. To this, eventually, the import of electricity and, as a last resort, thermal backup”, said ICE.
Costa Rica mainly uses hydroelectric power to meet its electricity demand. However, hydroelectric output can vary between rainy and dry seasons. Its installed geothermal power plants and wind farms allow to meet shortfalls and react to variations throughout the year.
New projects, such as the Las Paillas II geothermal power plant inaugurated last month, are important to maintain stability and strengthen the country’s climate resilience, as climate change -especially droughts or increased rainfall- may have an increasing impact on the country’s production of hydroelectric power.
