Costa Rica already gets more than 97% of its electricity from low-carbon sources—a remarkable achievement. Over the 12 months from July 2025 through June 2026, hydropower supplied almost three-quarters of electricity, wind about 13%, and geothermal about 11%. Fossil fuels supplied only about 3%. The next challenge is to electrify transport, heating, and industry, replacing fossil fuel use in those sectors to reduce climate-changing emissions and air pollution. This transition will require much more clean electricity.

Is Electricity Growing in Costa Rica?

Electricity consumption per person is not currently growing: the latest 2026 figure is about 2,540 kWh per person, slightly below the 2025 record of about 2,550 kWh—a decline of roughly 14 kWh per person. Low-carbon electricity generation also fell, reaching about 2,470 kWh per person compared with the 2025 record of about 2,520 kWh, a decrease of 48 kWh per person. These small declines are concerning because Costa Rica needs sustained electricity growth to support electrification and future demand, including from AI.

Suggestions

Costa Rica can increase low-carbon electricity generation by expanding wind power, which already provides a substantial share of its electricity. Additional wind projects, supported by stronger transmission networks and storage, could help deliver more clean electricity across the country. Costa Rica should also consider expanding solar generation and exploring nuclear power as a complementary source of low-carbon electricity. Together, these options could broaden its clean electricity supply while supporting rising demand.

History

Costa Rica’s low-carbon electricity history shows substantial growth, led mainly by hydropower, alongside some disappointing setbacks. In the early 1980s, hydro generation increased by 0.5 TWh in 1980 and 0.4 TWh in 1983. The 1990s brought a 0.5 TWh geothermal increase in 1992 and strong hydro gains in 1997 and 1999, despite declines in 1995 and 1998. Hydro continued expanding during the 2000s, with increases of around 0.5–0.6 TWh in several years. In the 2010s, hydro grew by 1.3 TWh in 2015 and 0.7 TWh in 2017, while wind added 0.5 TWh in 2018. A 0.6 TWh hydro decline in 2019 coincided with a 0.5 TWh geothermal gain. More recently, hydro rose by 0.5 TWh in 2020 and 1 TWh in 2021, fell by 0.9 TWh in 2023, and then delivered a particularly strong 1.6 TWh increase in 2025.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Jul 2025 – Jun 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.