If the projections do not change, Costa Rica’s fame for its 100%, renewable energy plan will continue extending throughout the world. The behavior highlighted by the international media in 2016 could be repeated next year.
According to the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE), the use of bunker fuel to produce energy will not have a greater impact in the country .
Salvador López, director of the National Center for Energy Control (CENCE) from ICE, confirmed that the planning 2017 contemplates the use of 1.5% of thermal energy, a very similar percent to the current one.
During 2016, due to the implementation of a 100%, renewable energy plan, that was extended for more than 200 consecutive days, Costa Rica got recognition before the international, public opinion.
Javier Orozco, director of Planning and Electrical Development, explained that in 2017, 80 megawatts of wind-energy generation are intended to be added, as well as a private, solar plant. without mentioning the full operation of the Reventazón, hydroelectric project (219 megawatts).
In 2017, wind power is likely to become the second, most important power, just like geothermal energy,
declared the official.
However, since Costa Rica’s weather conditions are sometimes unpredictable, a high-pressure phenomenon can take place and the wind can disappear. As a result, the use of thermal sources cannot be ruled out.