Hello, fellow earthers! This is your main man (or girl technically) EQ! Make some noise ‘cos we’re going down with a new banger of a blog! And if any of you are wondering, I am definitely not high. Heh. Well, jokes aside, today we are going to be covering a heck of a country, Costa Rica!
What’s so special about it? Costa Rica in 2017 hit some amazing goals! Any guesses?
They achieved a hundred percent renewable energy production! Now if we’re talking renewable energy production, that’s goals! And not only that but it’s been a 97-98 percent renewable country ever since and before! That’s just top-tier!
So how did Costa Rica achieve that? And what helped them along the way? Find out in today’s blog.
So let’s talk generally. What is Costa Rica’s energy generation?
Costa Rica generates 10-11 TW annually and that just makes clear the scale of renewable energy they produce. Furthermore, the per capita consumption annually is 2000-2100 KWh (kilowatt-hours) on average.
But how much energy is derived from different sources? Let’s see...
An old pie chart representing the energy breakdown in 2005
- Hydropower contributes to 70-80 percent of all of Costa Rica’s energy, they got the dam thing done right… (Did I just summon a fandom?)
- Wind energy accounts for 10-15 percent of the energy, with large wind projects and farms like the Tejona Wind Farm project! They make it seem like a breeze!
- Geothermal energy brings 10-12 percent of the energy production, that’s hot news!
- Finally, solar and biomass bring the remaining four to five percent, completing the mix of energy...
- Only a minuscule, nearly negligible amount of thermal energy also is present in that mix
So that’s that…but wait. What is so special about Costa Rica that helps them achieve these marvelous goals? Let’s divide that question into the different sectors? Sure:
Hydropower:
Costa Rica is home to some of the largest dams that produce so much power! Want some names? Well, the Reventazon Dam, located on the Reventazon River, which has a capacity of approximately 305 MW, that’s so cool! It’s one of the largest dams in Central Murica...
We also have the Arenal Dam in the Arenal Volcano Area that has a large reservoir to feed water into the dam. And how could we forget the Bajos Del Toro which translates to Lowlands of the Bull… interesting.
It’s Costa Rica’s vast and wide rivers, abundant water sources and large volcanic areas that allow it to benefit from hydropower production vastly.
Wind Power:
Alright, let’s shift gears and dive into the windy and fiery side of Costa Rica’s energy scene! First up, wind power, they catch those trade winds like pros. Picture this: giant wind turbines spinning gracefully across the open fields of Guanacaste, where the wind spins the turbines and powers the generators. The Tejona and Santa Ana wind farms are the main farms here, turning breezy days into tons of clean energy. It’s like Mother Nature’s own hairdryer, and Costa Rica’s definitely getting in on the blow!
Geothermal:
Now, let’s talk geothermal energy—a bit of a hot topic (literally!). Costa Rica’s volcanic landscape is like a giant natural heater, thanks to its spot along the Pacific Ring of Fire. The Miravalles and Pailas geothermal plants are tapping into this volcanic heat, pulling out steam like pros and turning it into electricity. So there you have it—Costa Rica’s energy game is not just sustainable, it’s downright electrifying!
DISCLAIMER: THE LAST TWO PARAGRAPHS WERE GENERATED BY AI, IN THE CASE OF ANY DEATH THREATS THE CLIMATIQUES AND CO. ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE..
And finally why not conclude by the description of all the documents and papers they’ve signed:
Costa Rica’s dedication to renewable energy and sustainability is evident in several key agreements. The Paris Agreement (2015) highlights the country’s commitment to limiting global warming and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. This global pact supports Costa Rica’s goal to enhance renewable energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The National Decarbonization Plan (2018-2050) outlines a clear path to carbon neutrality, focusing on increasing renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and promoting sustainable practices. Complementing this, the Law of Energy Efficiency (No. 7447) sets standards and incentives for energy-efficient technologies across various sectors, helping to lower emissions.
To further enhance its leadership in sustainability, Costa Rica could focus on diversifying its renewable energy sources by expanding solar and biomass energy, thereby complementing its reliance on hydropower. Improving energy storage and modernizing grid infrastructure would help manage the intermittency of renewable sources and enhance reliability. Strengthening climate resilience through better water resource management and disaster preparedness is crucial, as is promoting energy efficiency across various sectors.
So that’s that, and I hope you enjoyed this hectic, panicked, but detailed blog on Costa Rica that was definitely not written at 3 AM, hastily on a laptop at 2%...
The video’s going to come out in a while but hope you all enjoy our new series!! Adios, amigos y amigas!
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