Renewable energy in Costa Rica

Renewable energy in Costa Rica supplied about 98.1% of the electrical energy output for the entire nation in 2016.^[1] Fossil fuel energy consumption (% of total energy) in Costa Rica was 49.48 as of 2014,^[2] with demand for oil increasing in recent years.^[3] In 2014, 99% of its electrical energy was derived from renewable energy sources, about 80% of which from hydroelectric power.^[4] For the first 75 days of 2015, 100% of its electrical energy was derived from renewable energy sources^[5] and in mid 2016 that feat was accomplished for 110 consecutive days despite suboptimal weather conditions.^[6]

The 1948 elimination of the military of Costa Rica freed up millions of dollars from the government defense budget which are now invested in social programs and renewable energy generation.^[1] As president of Costa Rica in 1948, José Figueres announced that the nation's former military budget would be refocused specifically in healthcare, education, and environmental protection.^[7]

Costa Rica has a geographic advantage over others in that its high concentration per capita of rivers, dams, and volcanoes allows for a high renewable energy output. In addition, Costa Rica is the fourth highest nation in terms of rainfall per capita: it receives an average of 2,926 mm of precipitation per year.^[8] As a smaller nation with a population of only 5 million and no major industry, the need for strong energy infrastructure is less than for larger countries of higher population density. While Costa Rica's largest source of energy is hydroelectricity, other sources include geothermal energy, biomass, solar power, and wind power.^[4]