Costa Rica Achieves 300 Consecutive Days Running on 100% Renewable Energy

Costa Rica has achieved a remarkable new milestone in its clean energy journey, running its entire national electricity grid on 100 percent renewable energy for 300 consecutive days — a new national record that surpasses the previous mark of 224 days set in 2023.

The achievement is powered by the country's diverse renewable energy portfolio: hydroelectric plants generate roughly 68 percent of the total, wind farms contribute about 17 percent, geothermal plants provide 13 percent, and solar and biomass make up the remainder. This diversification has been key to maintaining continuous renewable supply even during seasonal variations in rainfall.

“The achievement is powered by the country's diverse renewable energy portfolio: hydroelectric plants generate roughly 68 percent of the total, wind farms contribute about 17 percent, geothermal plants provide 13 percent, and solar and biomass make up the remainder.”

The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad, the national power utility, credits recent investments in wind farm capacity in the Guanacaste province for closing the gap that previously required fossil fuel backup during dry season months. Three new wind installations added 120 megawatts of capacity in 2025, enough to compensate when hydroelectric output dips.

Costa Rica's success is particularly notable because it has been achieved without nuclear power and with a growing economy. The country's GDP has expanded by 4.2 percent over the past year while electricity demand grew by 3.1 percent — demonstrating that economic growth and clean energy are not mutually exclusive.

The government has announced plans to leverage its renewable electricity surplus to accelerate electrification of its transportation sector, which remains the country's largest source of carbon emissions. A new policy offering reduced electricity rates for electric vehicle charging stations aims to double the country's EV fleet by 2028.

Energy experts note that while Costa Rica's small size and favorable geography give it natural advantages, its policy framework and long-term commitment to renewables offer lessons for larger nations looking to accelerate their own energy transitions.