Costa Rica completed 2016 without burning any fossil fuels for more than 250 days . 98,2 percent of Costa Rica's electricity came from renewable sources that year, an achievement that positions the Central American country as a leading example of a sustainable energy future.
The Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) was responsible for reporting this data, showing how the country has operated with a mix of hydroelectric, geothermal, wind, solar, and biomass energy sources . This diversity has allowed Costa Rica to achieve unprecedented energy milestones , making it an example for other nations.
In 2016, hydroelectric sources provided 74,35% of the country's electricity, geothermal plants 12,74%, wind turbines 10,30%, while biomass and solar energy generated 0,74% and 0,01%, respectively. This means that over 98% of Costa Rica's electricity came from renewable sources, leaving 1,88% generated by fossil fuels due to a rainfall deficit at the beginning of the year.
Costa Rica: A completely renewable future
Costa Rica's achievement of maintaining almost all of its electricity production from renewable sources throughout 2016 is not only impressive, but also a strong indicator of its future plans. The country's government aims to become 100% renewable in the coming years, which includes the implementation of new energy projects , such as the inauguration of four new wind farms in 2017.
According to ICE data, in September 2016, Costa Rica also garnered global attention after operating on 100% renewable energy for 113 consecutive days . However, while this progress is significant, the challenge of completely eliminating the use of fossil fuels remains, especially in transportation, which consumes 70% of the country's total energy.
The transport sector, which still relies heavily on fossil fuels, represents the main challenge at the national level. While the electricity supply has made outstanding progress, the transition to a sustainable transport system is still underway.
Comparison with other countries in the use of renewable energy
Globally, other countries also achieved significant clean energy milestones in 2016. For example, Uruguay supplied 95% of its electricity with renewable energy, while Sweden reached 50%. Portugal surprised the world by using only renewable energy for 107 consecutive days.
Costa Rica stands out not only for its commitment to a future powered by clean energy, but also for having developed a robust infrastructure that includes the Reventazón hydroelectric plant , the largest in Central America, generating up to 305,5 megawatts . This project is an example of how energy infrastructure can be key to the transition to fully renewable sources.
Reventazón: The energy giant
In September 2016, Costa Rica celebrated the inauguration of the Reventazón hydroelectric project , a colossal feat of engineering that stands as the largest hydroelectric project in Central America. Located in the province of Limón, this plant has an installed capacity of 305,5 megawatts , enough to supply more than 525.000 homes.
This development not only strengthens Costa Rica's capacity to continue its renewable energy generation but also improves the nation's energy self-sufficiency, as it relies primarily on hydroelectric power for most of its energy needs. In fact, if weather conditions remain favorable, hydroelectric plants are expected to continue operating at full capacity.
Challenges towards a 100% renewable nation
Despite the progress made, Costa Rica faces significant challenges in achieving its goal of 100% renewable energy . One of the main critical issues is the country's reliance on fossil fuels for transportation, which presents a major obstacle. However, the government has planned several initiatives, such as creating taxes on high-emission vehicles and promoting the development of electric infrastructure for public transportation.
It is estimated that the country could reach 100% renewable electricity by 2021 , but carbon neutrality by 2085. To achieve this, investments in renewable energy and improvements to the transportation system must continue.
Climate change is also a factor to consider. Erratic rainfall and shifting weather patterns will affect the country's hydroelectric power sources, making it crucial to further diversify energy sources to ensure long-term supply stability.
Costa Rica has demonstrated that it is possible to move towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy model, but although the goal is ambitious, there is still a long way to go. The combination of new investments, government policies, and technological improvements will be key to achieving the objective of a 100% renewable energy nation.