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Costa Rica surpassed the fourth consecutive year producing 98% of clean energy generation in its National Electric System (SEN). On Wednesday, October 3, the electricity generated from renewable sources: water, wind, Geothermal, biomass and solar, have represented 98.15% of the total energy produced in the country.

The Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) projects that for the rest of the year the thermal backup will be used in a minimum or might not even be necessary. Which means that the accumulated percentage of renewable energy generation for the year remains over 98% and it could increase slightly.

The regulation reservoirs the country has – Arenal, Cachí, Reventazón, Pirrís and Angostura -have been vital in reaching four consecutive years with such a high, clean energy production. These have collected the water of intense rain periods to generate electricity during times when rain has decreased considerably.

Reservoirs have also allowed for variable sources -such as wind- to integrate more widely in the national electricity matrix, 2018 will be the second year in the history of the country in which wind takes the second position in the contribution of clean energy just behind water.

“The national system is strong enough to adapt to the weather changes or eventualities without loosing its renewable profile. The clean energy generation offers a significant boost to the national goals of decarbonization and contributes with a healthy environment for every Costa Rican” commented Luis Pacheco, Corporate Director of Electricity for ICE.

The last time that ICE had to resort to thermal backup with the Garabito plant due to electric demand was May 17, since then the country has run 140 consecutive days with 100% renewable sources