Costa Rica is a country rich with renewable energy. In fact, it gets about 99% of all its electrical energy from clean sources, and it’s aiming to be the first country to become carbon neutral (more about that below). Some of Costa Rica’s energy sources include geothermal energy, the burning of sugarcane waste and other biomass, solar and wind energy. However, the largest source of energy is hydroelectricity — its hydroelectric dams provide more than 82% of the country’s electricity.
But the electric needs of Costa Rica are increasing, and the government now wants to build new dams that would displace indigenous villages and flood valuable habitats. Local environmental groups are opposing the construction of new hydroelectric dams.
Also, Costa Rica’s efforts to minimize its own contributions to global warming have made it especially vulnerable to climate changes caused by other countries. The reason is rain. Even a tiny shift in rainfall patterns could leave the country without enough water to meet its growing demand for electricity. And scientists say climate change is likely to have a significant effect on rainfall.
But Costa Rica is working to become the world’s first carbon-neutral country (other countries vying to be first are Monaco, Norway, New Zealand and Iceland). Costa Rica wants to become carbon neutral in time to celebrate 200 years of independence in 2021, says environment and energy minister Roberto Dobles.
Wind power might come to forefront in Costa Rica — a large wind farm with 22 turbines has been working in Tilarán, Guanacaste since 2002 and more are scheduled to be installed in the mountains of Escazú and Santa Ana. A new geothermal plant, using naturally-existing superheated water to power steam turbines, is also scheduled to be producing electricity in 2010 near Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, in the province of Guanacaste.
Via: TierraAmerica
Read more! Related stories:
- 90,000 Homes To Be Powered By Chicken Manure
- $2 Billion Wind Turbine Order Is Largest Ever
- German Parliment To Use 100% Renewable Power
- 45% Renewable Energy For Germany By 2030
- Danish Island Is Energy Self-Sufficient
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
The problems with hydroelectric dams are environmentally annoying, though. But it’s better than coal.
Costa Rica has an GDP of 7% compared to us here in Australia, yet has a nearly 21% of our population. This means they have less money per person. Any since money brings personal and social wealth, which means greater power to protect and enhance health, education, and the environment, why would anyone want to replicate the energy constraints of this country, let alone limit it by disallowing more hydro electric stations? By the way, lifespan in Cost Rica is ranked 55 out of the whole 222 nations worldwide, which is not bad. But we Australian’s are at number 8. Long live electricity.
Bob you’re an idiot!
I am afraid that I have to agree with Robin. Hydro is probably the lesser of all evils. There is habitat destruction. However the damage is less permanent than other solutions.
The end of fossil fuels needs to be our #1 priority.
You wouldn’t notice this walking around San Jose. Because this is a third world city, there are little or no vehicle emissions regulations.
We applaud Costa Rica for it’s efforts and leadership in environmental issues.
While Alex is correct about emission controls, to be fair, Costa Rica has an excellent public transportation system that is extensively used.
Costa Rica is a Second World country and has a growing economy. There is no doubt that they have made some compromises, but certainly you have to give them credit for their leadership.
I walk in Downtown San Jose often and I do not find the pollution near as bad as other major cities.
I think, that’s really a very nice achievement for one developing country in comparison with G8.
Hydro power is also much, much better than any old fashioned fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, gas. Nuclear is simply far too expensive, if we exclude all state tax benefits and financial injections and include the cost of clearing up old nuclear rubbish and far too dangerous in modern world, which is full of (terror) threats.
hi, i actually beg to differ. i live in costa rica, and i can tell you that it is not 99% powered by renewable energy. as a matter of fact, if it’s powered by 1% renewable energy, i will be happy.
costa rica, unfortunately, is an excellent marketer when it comes to sustainability, but has yet to come close to even getting an organics food line in this country.
I too live in Costa Rica, within view of the wind turbines pictured and over looking lake Arenal, one of the worlds most efficient hydro projects. It’s huge 300m+ drop into the turbines though only a 100m high dam, that this water produces 40% of the countries electricity and a big part of CR 80% renewable energy total (wind 4% Geothermal 20%). Unfortunately the CR Gov. electric monopoly won’t allow a wind production increase beyond the 4% of total installed production capacity. Rather ICE (the Gov. Co.) been feverously installing bunker fuel consuming thermal plants to offset the incredibly large 10% increase in annual CR consumption. Please note there are no oil, gas or coal natural deposits in the country. Sad that the Gov wont let private energy producers build and operate wind plants –we could easily be like some EU countries and have 20% from wind in just a few years time, but no Big oil has it’s hand in our (the consumers) pocket here and wants to keep it that way. Rather than complain about hydro coal or whatever just try and use less, buy efficient appliances and use electricity efficiently, and if possible produce some of what you use, the Edison Westinghouse energy war has yet to see the final chapter written!
Air travel has become a major part of our society, with industries and individuals depending on air transport for their livelihood. But have you ever wondered what happens to the artifacts of our airborne culture when they’re no longer needed? [url=http://weburbanist.com/2008/10/14/abandoned-airfields-airports-aircraft-airplanes/]More..[/url]
xrtst303a
The title of the article is a flat-out lie: Costa Rica’s electricity may be mostly produced by renewables, but there are also a lot of cars on the roads burning oil. Nevertheless, Costa Rica has done well to make good use of the natural resource of abundant rainfall and large elevation changes.
Actually, Costa Rica is powered by over 95% sustainable energy….Cars have nothing to do with this. Hydroelectric makes up for about 90%, Geothermal energy about 5%, and wind power about 3%. Do some research and find the facts.
“Do some research and find some facts”? Briana, maybe if you used your brain it would be better than reading someone else’s facts. Energy consumption is not the same as electrical consumption. Previous comment made that clear. The article was mistitled. Are you the one who titled it, or else why else are you so defensive? Just change the title of the article and get over it. The article itself is good and clear. Do some research on “getting over it” and just change the title, and get over it.
I believe right there at the top next to the title it says that the article was written by “Justin”.
Why are we squabbling? We need to focus on issues at hand.
It bothers me that Costa Rica is internationally known as a Eco Paradise, and now this. I am a Canadian that has 7 yrs in CR. We have twice weekly garbage collection, no recycling, and my wife’s friends asked me why I would want rotting vegetables on the yard when I made a compost pile. As far as energy production, the gov’t recently bought gas generators (gasoline, not even diesel) to deal with the dry season low lake levels. San Jose is a third world capital city that stinks. Where the Ticos are smart is their marketing. That is it.