HomeEnvironmentHappy birthday, Costa Rica – 300 days of renewable energy, that is!

Happy birthday, Costa Rica – 300 days of renewable energy, that is!

Costa Rica has hit a major milestone: 300 days of renewable energy use, cracking its previous record of 299 days in 2015.

The Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) announced Monday that the country broke its record on Friday and is still going strong.

So far this year, the country’s energy has come from hydro (78.26 percent), wind (10.29 percent), geothermal (volcanoes, 10.23 percent) and solar or biomass (0.84 percent). The remaining 0.38 percent early in the year came from the fossil fuel-powered thermal plants, which now have gone unused for 300 days.

The year 2017 is also poised to be Costa Rica’s biggest year in history for wind production, according to the statement, with 1,014,82 gigawatt-hours thus far coming from 16 wind farms.

 

Trending Now

Costa Rica Tourism Loses 20,000 Jobs as Strong Colón Squeezes Small Operators

Costa Rica's tourism sector employs 20,137 fewer people than two years ago, with microbusinesses hit hardest as the strong colón erodes margins.

Apple Brings Tap to Pay on iPhone to Costa Rica

Apple rolls out Tap to Pay on iPhone in Costa Rica. Businesses can now accept in-person contactless payments on an iPhone, with no separate...

Five More Arrested as Costa Rica Steps Up Sea Turtle Protection at Ostional

Five more people have been detained during sea turtle protection operations at Ostional National Wildlife Refuge in Guanacaste, bringing the number of people arrested...

Who Is Costa Rica Really Competing With for Tourists?

Costa Rica's tourism board says its rivals are Thailand, Indonesia and New Zealand, not its neighbors. Business chambers see a wider field and warn the country is getting too expensive.

Atlantic Reaches Late September Without a Hurricane for the First Time Since 1914

The Atlantic Ocean has reached late September without producing a single hurricane, something that has not happened in 112 years. As of this morning,...

OAS Countries Seek October Meeting to Consider Measures Against Nicaragua

A group of five countries in the Organization of American States (OAS) is proposing that the region’s foreign ministers meet on October 2 to...

Tovar Firing Leaves Costa Rica Without a Foreign Minister for UN Speech

Costa Rica is days from its UN General Assembly address with no confirmed speaker, as a timeline of the Trump meeting dispute and warnings from former diplomats raise new questions.

Human Trafficking Cases Reach 16-Year High in Costa Rica

Costa Rica recorded 83 human trafficking victims in 2025, the highest number reported in any single year since at least 2010, according to figures...

Costa Rica Turns to Bryan Ruiz After Firing Fernando Batista

Former Costa Rica captain Bryan Ruiz will take temporary charge of the national team after the Costa Rican Football Federation fired Argentine coach Fernando...
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel