Costa Rica could derive up to 40 percent of its electricity from geothermal
Rincon de la Vieja volcano, Costa Rica (source: flickr/ Jelle H., creative commons)
Alexander Richter
6 Feb 2013
With an newly estimated 900 MW of potential, Costa Rica could derive up to 40% of its electricity from geothermal resources within the country.
Recording to a recent interview with the head of the Ministry of Environment and Energy in Costa Rica, up to 40% of the electricity demand of Costa Rica could be fueled by geothermal.
Currently about 12 percent of the country’s electricity come from geothermal power generation. As reported by our sister publication, Piensa En Geotermia, the country had estimated that about 150 to 180 MW of geothermal power generation capacity could be achieved, now the potential is estimated at about 900 MW.
While these resources are so far unproven, it still means the country could utilize a much larger share of its electricity from geothermal as previously estimated.
The main resources are seen to exist at the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, but there are other areas as well. Development at Ricon de la Vieja would likely take around 5 years to complete.
So while hydropower remains a main source of power for the country, geothermal could substitute parts of it.
A new geothermal legislation is expected to foster geothermal development and is currently going through a legislative process in Costa Rica.
Currently only the state utility ICE can develop projects, but this might change.
Source: Diarioextra, via Piensa En Geotermia
