Why I was Disappointed to Read that Costa Rica runs on almost 100% Renewables

Located in Central America, Costa Rica is ranked as one of the most visited international tourist destinations. Costa Rica is a democratic and peaceful country and it has not had an army since 1949.

The small country covers only 0.03 percent of the surface of the globe. Twenty six percent of the country is composed of conservation and natural protected territory.

As a country, Costa Rica has a geographic advantage over others in that its high concentration per capita of rivers, dams, and volcanoes allow for a high renewable energy output.

And in that sentence lies my disappointment as when you say renewables I imagine that Solar and Wind Power are the great drivers as dams come with their own environmental concerns.

Costa Rica’s largest source of energy is hydroelectricity, other sources include geothermal energy, biomass, solar power, and wind power.

99.5% of the country’s population has access to electricity – in 2016 the World Bank reported that 84.2% of South Africans had access to electricity whilst Eskom reported in 2018 that that figure had risen to 90% of urban South Africans and 80% in rural areas.

Costa Ricas Renewable Energy Sources:

1. Costa Rica receives about 74% of its energy from hydroelectric plants alone due to its extreme amounts of rainfall and multiple rivers.
2. Geothermal power is a natural energy source that provides subterranean heat and power as a byproduct of volcanic energy. Costa Rica’s geothermal energy contributes to about 15% of the energy in the country.
3. As of 2011, only 2.1% of energy produced in the nation came from wind power.
4. Solar Power generation represents less than 1% of electricity generated, despite the country having an ideal position near the equator that, combined with the sunny weather during the year, represents a solar power potential of more than 144 million MWh/year. Solar energy in Costa Rica is in its early stages.
5. Only 0.25% of energy produced in Costa Rica comes from biomass. Biomass is primarily used for cooking and heating kitchen appliances to reduce the reliance on petroleum in the household.

SO by my narrowest biased definition of renewable energy Costa Rica only runs on 25% renewables….

Costa Rica’s population is small and their workforce is not manufacturing intensive, which means their energy requirements are not as large as some countries.

Costa Rica’s President Carlos Alvarado announced at his inauguration in May 2018 that by 2021, the country would start to implement a plan to end fossil fuel use in transportation.

You can help the quiet revolution along by installing an EV Charging station outside your Guest House, Hotel, Coffee Shop, Restaurant, Shopping Centre or in your forecourt. Contact Straton Electrical for EV Charging Station options.

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