The state-run Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) reported that renewable energy sources accounted for 98.2 percent of the country’s electricity and more than 250 days were powered completely by renewable sources.
Costa Rica has been powered on a mix of hydro, geothermal, wind, solar and biomass energy sources. 74.35 percent of the country’s electricity has come from hydroelectric sources. Geothermal plants contributed roughly 12.74 percent of electricity generation, while wind turbines provided 10.30 percent, and biomass and solar generated 0.74 percent and 0.01 percent each. 1.88 percent of its electricity still had to be produced from fossil fuels due to rainfall deficits at the beginning of the year.
ICE Executive President Carlos Obregón said:
We will open four new wind plants next year and we expect favorable meteorological conditions in river basins that feed our hydroelectric plants. Electricity generation using renewable sources is expected to remain stable through 2017.
In September 2016, Costa Rica made headlines by running the grid on 100 percent renewable sources for 113 straight days. However, it will take many years before the country becomes 100% renewable. The transportation system makes up somewhere around 70% of energy consumption in Costa Rica and still heavily relies on fossil fuels.
Worldwide, in 2016, renewable energy powered 95% of electricity in Uruguay. Sweden draws half of its power from renewables and Portugal managed to run for 107 straight days using renewables.
