The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), Costa Rica’s vice-ministry of energy and environmental quality (MINAE) and the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) are working together to develop an understanding of the benefits of offshore wind and explore pathways for its future development
A closed-door workshop, which took place on 1 and 2 September, brought together representatives from the public and private sector and key stakeholders to enhance understanding of the benefits, costs, challenges and opportunities for offshore wind development in the country.
With a total offshore wind technical potential of 14 GW, of which nearly 1 GW is fixed-bottom offshore wind and 13 GW is floating wind, GWEC believes Costa Rica has the potential to become a ‘first mover’ for offshore wind in Central America. Building an offshore wind industry could drive decarbonisation, provide affordable electricity and create jobs.
“As an abundant, scalable, cost-competitive, and reliable source of renewable energy, offshore wind is an important pillar of the energy transition and can play a key role in realising Costa Rica’s net-zero by 2050 target, as outlined in the country’s National Decarbonisation Plan,” GWEC said.
GWEC chief executive Ben Backwell said, “Costa Rica has been a leader in renewable energy and sustainability for years. Tapping into Costa Rica’s offshore wind potential will help the country to cement its position as a decarbonisation pioneer of the region, while securing socioeconomic benefits for local communities and building a thriving local economy.”
MINAE vice minister of energy and environmental quality Rolando Castro said, “Costa Rica is a small country with a big commitment to the environmental future of the planet and has lofty sustainability goals.
“In the pursuit of sustainable development, energy access, energy security and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity, the country wants to boost its renewable energy portfolio with a road map for offshore wind.”
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