Wind Power In Costa Rica

Wind power is a great complement for hydroelectric power, even more in the dry season. Also, in the dry years, there´s more wind and, therefore, more wind power to generate. 

Wind power plants directly reduce the thermal generation in the dry season, helping to stop sudden forestal fires, water shortage  and the heat sensation.

Offshore wind energy is in Costa Rica´s plans as the next step of wind power. It seems to be the future of sustainable energy, probably cheaper too and it will potentially create a lot of job opportunities. It would also help the country to reach the goal to be carbon zero in 2050. South Korea is investing USD$600,000.00 to make this possible.

Costa Rica has for some years in a row producing more than 98% of its energy in renewable forms, this makes it a regional leader in renewable energies, mostly hydroelectric energy since it represents around 71% of the energy in the country. 

In 1996, the first wind power plant in Latin America was installed in Costa Rica and the country keeps being a pivot in this area, followed by Brasil, Mexico, Chile and Uruguay. In 10 years, Costa Rica quintupled the amount of wind power generated. 

There are 16 wind power plants across the country.

Still, the country needs to explore the design of the monitoring systems, evaluate the best way to do the infraestructure, marketing data research, opportunities to improve the project, risk of the installation and operation of wind plants and related studies that are very important to do before the execution. 

While lowering the carbon emissions, at the same time, climate change is being stopped. So the environment is being protected and the country keeps advancing with new technologies to create more jobs, lower poverty and seek general prosperity. 

The world is looking for more sustainable options to preserve the planet we live in, so now there are green certificates that are basically financing for sustainable projects (like wind plants). They were used for the first time in 2007 by the European Union and other countries or private companies have adopted this practice. Interest rate is 6.25% yearly.

Renewable energies go very well along with electromobility that has become very popular in Costa Rica. The government gives incentives to electric car users and has invested in replacing public transportation with electric vehicles. 

So, at the end of the day, creating energy and jobs in a sustainable way is possible, as wind power makes us see. Costa Rica has different power sources such as hydroelectric, geothermal, wind, thermal, from bagasse and solar. The good news is that they are being used in an environment friendly way, in balance with the ecosystems and taking care of the planet.