Costa Rica looks to add 675MW at a cost of US$1.5bn

Costa Rica’s power generation park is due to increase 675MW by 2032 with estimated investment of US$1.5bn.

Kenneth Lobo, electricity planning and sustainability director at state power company ICE, provided the outlook during a presentation to expand on the operator's recent announcement that 412MW of solar, wind and biomass will be incorporated in 2025-26 at a cost of US$539mn.

To underpin the addition of variable renewable capacity, Lobo highlighted development of geothermal projects Borinquen I and II, which will contribute 55MW each, and the 55MW Fourth Cliff hydro.

Source: ICE

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Construction of Borinquen I stands at 44% and is due online in 2027 and feasibility for Borinquen II reaches 35%, while feasibility for Fourth Cliff is nearing completion.

As part of its push to seek private sector support, ICE plans to issue renewable energy calls in the coming months to complement tenders launched last year that are in the process of being awarded.

Read ICE will buy energy from new wind generation plants and ICE will buy energy from new photovoltaic solar plants

The state operator is also reinforcing dispatch infrastructure such as lines and substations for a combined US$160mn.

Source: ICE

The slides from ICE’s presentation are available in the Documents box in the top right corner of the screen.