Electricity in Costa Rica in 2023

In Costa Rica for the year 2023, electricity consumption primarily comes from low-carbon sources. Hydropower leads the pack with around 8 TWh, which amounts to more than half of the nation's clean energy portfolio. Geothermal and wind follow, each contributing about 1.5 TWh. Altogether, Costa Rica's low-carbon electricity generation stands at approximately 11 TWh. Given Costa Rica's population, this translates to an average electricity consumption rate significantly lower than the global average of 410 watts per person. While beneficial for the environment, low levels of electricity generation can impose challenges such as limited energy availability for industrial expansion and potential constraints on economic growth.

Suggestions

To bolster its low-carbon electricity generation, Costa Rica can capitalize on its existing wind energy infrastructure by further expanding wind farms. Observing successful countries can provide valuable insights. For example, Brazil, which is somewhat similar to Costa Rica in terms of being a developing country with rich natural resources, generates 94 TWh from wind energy. This demonstrates the significant potential of wind energy in contributing to a nation's electricity supply. Furthermore, adopting successful practices from countries like the United States and China in solar energy (215 TWh and 523 TWh, respectively) could diversify Costa Rica's clean energy mix. Investing in nuclear power, similar to the approaches in France and South Korea, could also provide a stable and substantial addition to Costa Rica's low-carbon electricity generation.

History

Historically, Costa Rica has steadily increased its low-carbon electricity generation. In the 1980s, hydroelectric power showed consistent growth, with annual increases around 0.5 TWh. The 1990s saw the introduction of geothermal energy, adding meaningful contributions to the clean energy mix. However, fluctuations in hydroelectric power were evident, with some years experiencing declines, such as the drop of 0.4 TWh in 1995. Notable advancements continued in the 2000s and 2010s with further expansion in hydropower and the introduction of wind energy, which added 0.5 TWh in 2018. Despite minor setbacks, like the recent decline of 1 TWh in hydropower generation in 2023, Costa Rica’s historic focus on low-carbon sources remains strong and promising for future growth.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources