Costa Rica’s power grid has been running on 100% renewable energy for the past 76 days, and counting. It is able to rely primarily on its hydropower plants, with a boost from geothermal, solar and wind energy sources. Anxious to reduce its energy dependence on water and its growing vulnerability to droughts, it is working towards diversifying its portfolio of renewable energy sources. Blessed with an abundance of volcanoes, Costa Rica has made geothermal its priority alternative to hydropower, with a governement-approved investment of $958 million. For those countries inspired by Costa Rica’s energy choices, they may want to consider that this 5-million people nation has been doing away without much of an industry throughout its history, and without an army since 1948.
Costa Rica powers its grid through water and volcanoes (a little wind and sun too)
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