Costa Rica is focusing on wind power as a cornerstone for strengthening the resilience of its electricity system. The strategy aims to reduce its heavy reliance on hydroelectric power, in a context where climate variability is beginning to impact security of supply.
The Director of Energy at the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) , Randall Zúñiga , stated that advancing in new renewable sources is key to maintaining the country's leadership and proposed adding wind energy to the country.
"It is not enough to be renewable: we must be resilient ," the official stated, referring to the need to diversify the energy mix.
Currently, the Costa Rican electrical system has an installed capacity of approximately 3600 MW, of which around 65% corresponds to hydroelectric generation , which explains both its strength in decarbonization and its exposure to variable climatic conditions.
The proposal is made within the framework of the report prepared by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) , which analyzes how to improve energy security and resilience in Costa Rica through transition and regional integration .
The document warns that, despite advances in clean energy generation, the system faces structural risks that require more robust planning.
The expansion of wind power is directly linked to the development of energy storage, which is key to managing its variability. Without this infrastructure, the growth of intermittent sources could compromise the stability of the system.
Costa Rica is already planning to move in this direction.
The Costa Rican Electricity Institute plans to incorporate up to 300 MW of BESS , which will optimize the management of renewable generation and reduce dependence on thermal backup.
In turn, the country's wind power potential reinforces this commitment.
With approximately 2400 MW of estimated onshore capacity and a potential generation of 6700 GWh per year , wind power is positioned as one of the most relevant resources to complement hydroelectricity.
"Diversification with geothermal, wind, storage and new technologies is no longer optional, it is strategic ," said Zúñiga, Director of Energy at MINAE, emphasizing the role of these technologies in future planning.
The ECLAC report also highlighted that storage allows for balancing supply and demand, improving system reliability and facilitating the integration of variable energy sources , thus consolidating a more flexible system.
Beyond the electricity system, the country faces structural challenges related to fossil fuel use and energy integration. Transportation remains the largest energy consumer and depends almost entirely on petroleum products, creating economic and geopolitical vulnerabilities.
In parallel, regional integration is emerging as a tool to strengthen security of supply. "Regional integration is not a complement, it is an energy security tool ," stated Zúñiga, Director of Energy at MINAE, highlighting the role of the Regional Electricity Market.
The ECLAC analysis indicated that greater connectivity allows for cost optimization, increased system reliability, and the leveraging of complementarities between countries , key aspects in an energy transition context.
The report also highlighted the need to advance new planning tools and regulatory frameworks that support the transformation of the sector, integrating economic, social, and energy variables into decision-making.
With high wind power potential, advancements in battery systems, and a consolidated renewable energy base, Costa Rica is positioned to lead a new phase of the energy transition in the region. The challenge will be to translate that potential into concrete decisions that guarantee a more resilient and secure system in the long term.