Costa Rica:

Costa Rica Beats Own Record, Relies Solely on Renewables for 94 Days (SeeNews Renewables)

Geothermal provides over 12% of country's electricity

(Courtesy CIA.gov)

The Costa Rican Institute of Electricity (ICE) said Wednesday that renewables have generated 100% of the country's power for 94 consecutive days.

The new period without resorting to fossil fuels started on May 8 and ended on August 9. Earlier this year, from January 1 to March 16, Costa Rica reached 75 days generating 100% of its power from renewables.

ICE noted geothermal and hydropower plants (HPP) were the main energy sources used during the period. More details in the table below.

1.  Hydropower 77.6%
2.  Geothermal 12.34%
3.  Wind 10.05%
4.  Solar 0.01%

The 100% renewables run came to an end on August 10, when the government had to fire up the Garabito thermal power plant, which uses bunker fuel, to generate 1% of the energy required in the country. This year alone, Costa Rica has accumulated 188 days without resorting to conventional sources of power to meet electricity demand.

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