Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Hydropower Country Notes

Costa Rica

For a country with a surface area of only 51 100 km2, Costa Rica has a surprisingly large hydroelectric potential. Its gross theoretical potential is estimated at 223 TWh/yr, within which 43 TWh/yr has been assessed as technically feasible.

Aggregate hydro capacity was 1 296 MW at end-2005, equivalent to about 70% of Costa Rica's generating capacity. Several new hydro plants are under construction or planned: nearing completion are Cariblanco (70 MW) and Pirris (128 MW), together with two BOT schemes: La Joya (50 MW) and General (39 MW). Two projects at earlier stages of planning are Toro 3 (50 MW) and Boruca-Veraguas (830 MW).