Electricity in Costa Rica in 2023

Costa Rica's current electricity consumption in 2023 is predominantly sourced from low-carbon energy sources. Its total low-carbon electricity generation stands at 11.24 Terawatt hours (TWh) which is mainly contributed by hydropower, generating a substantial 8.26 TWh. The rest of the low-carbon electricity is sourced from geothermal and wind energy, with both accounting for almost equally at just under 1.5 TWh for each energy type. This is considerably significant in comparison to the global average of 410 watts per person, indicating an impressive reduction in carbon emissions. However, relatively low levels of electricity generation mean the country potentially faces challenges in meeting sudden spikes in demand or changes in consumption patterns.

Suggestions

Costa Rica can further grow its low-carbon electricity generation by expanding its wind energy capacity, building on its current production of nearly 1.5 TWh. Looking at the energy landscape of other nations, Costa Rica can learn valuable lessons from countries successfully using low-carbon technology. For instance, the People’s Republic of China and the United States have made substantial strides in generating electricity through wind energy with 964 and 425 TWh respectively. Closer to home, Costa Rica might view Brazil's 94 TWh output from wind energy as a practical example of what a country with similar geographical and climatic conditions can achieve.

History

Reflecting on Costa Rica's history of low-carbon electricity, it largely demonstrates a consistent and growing reliance on hydropower. In the early 1980s, there was a modest growth in hydropower – about 0.5 TWh. This grew to nearly 1 TWh in 1997 and remained consistent with minor fluctuations. While there was a noticeable dip in hydropower in 1995 and again in 2018, these were swiftly counteracted by an increase in subsequent years, showing Costa Rica's sustained motivation to utilize this energy source. In the last few years of the 21st century, Costa Rica has also shown an increasing focus on other low-carbon sources such as wind and geothermal, with both seeing a 0.5 TWh increase in 2019. However, it fortifies the notion that for Costa Rica, hydropower remains a backbone for its electricity generation, evident in its continued use in 2023 despite a minor setback of -1 TWh.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources