Costa Rica

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Costa Rica

Population:	4,075,261 (July 2006 est.) [1]
GDP (PPP):	$48.77 billion (2006 est.)[1]
Petroleum – consumption – imports: – Gasoline to diesel ratio:	44,000 bbl/day (2004)[1] ??? ???
Electricity – consumption – Main sources:	7.574 billion kWh (2004)(2004)[1] 79% hydro, 12% geothermal, 3.5% biomass, 1.8% oil
Renewable energy targets:	???
Ethanol – production: – target: – feedstocks:	189 million liters/year [2] Ethanol exports: 5,448,996 gallons of anhydrous ethanol (2005-6)[3] ???  ???
Biodiesel – production: – target – feedstocks:	??? ???  ???

Information about bioenergy and biofuels in Costa Rica. (See the experimental page in Spanish.)

Contents 1 Events 2 Issues 3 Projects 4 Reports 5 Policy 6 News 7 Organizations 7.1 Governmental organizations 7.2 Nongovernmental organizations 7.3 Companies 7.4 Academia 8 Notes

Events

• 5 October 2008, MINAET Environment and Health Fair: Paseo Colón from 08:00 a 14:00. 100,000 trees donated by Grupo ICE will be distributed and electric cars will be on exhibit.

• 17-19 November 2008, Guácimo, Limón, Costa Rica: International Conference on Research & Educational Opportunities in Bio-Fuel Crop Production. Co-hosted by EARTH University and the University of Florida. (Topics: land use change, food vs. fuel, carbon sequestration, educational opportunities for institutions). From the description:
  • A "meeting on bio-fuel crop production in environmentally sensitive regions. The meeting will address current research on crops for bio-fuel production with discussions of research alternatives for future crop production systems in light of land use issues, ethics of food vs. fuel production and carbon sequestration. Educational opportunities for institutions in the region will be discussed, including graduate and undergraduate curriculums, and inter-institutional cooperation."[1]

Issues

Note: Steve Engler is blogging about the trials and tribulations of Costa Rica's biofuels world while he's down there for a year. Follow it at The Biofuels Rockstar.

Projects

• See the Spanish language page.

Reports

• Also see the the Spanish language page.

• Executive Summary of the National Biofuels Commission report (pdf), by MAG-MINAE, January 2008. Lays out Costa Rica's current and future energy use, as well as where an increased production of biofuels would fit in.

• Agroenergy and Biofuels Atlas of the Americas: I. Ethanol (pdf) Editorial coordination: Mario A. Seixas. Instituto Interamericano de Cooperacion para la Agricultura (IICA) [2].

• High-Level Preliminary View of Costa Rican Biomass Output (Draft), Various authors, October 2007.

• Costa Rica Energy Crisis, by Blake Schmidt, Tico Times, May 11, 2007. Explores Costa Rica's efforts to confront its energy use.

• National Biofuels Program exploratory report, executive summary, MINAE, May 2007.

• A Blueprint for Green Energy in the Americas: Costa Rica (pdf), prepared by Garten Rothkopf for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), 2007.

• Ethanol Production in Latin America: Facts and Potential, by Dr. Luiz Augosto Horta Nogueira, Consultor for the Universidad Federal de Itajuba, Brasil; for the Royal Society, London, 2007.

• Clean Power in Costa Rica: Opportunities and Barriers (doc), by Jessica Morey; Master’s Capstone Project, American University and the UN University for Peace, August 2006. Used with Permission.

• Ethanol Imports and the Caribbean Basin Initiative (pdf), Brent D. Yacobucci, Specialist in Energy Policy Resources, Science, and Industry Division, The National Agricultural Law Center, Congressional Research Service Reports, February 10, 2006. While there is a 51 cent tariff on ethanol imported to the US, the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) allows the imports of ethanol duty-free from member countries. Much of the ethanol entering the United States under the CBI is generally produced elsewhere and reprocessed in CBI countries for export to the United States.

• Potencial Economico y Ambiental del Etanol como Oxigenante en la Gasolina (pdf), by Dr. Luiz Augosto Horta Nogueira, Consultor for the Universidad Federal de Itajuba, Brasil; Convenio Costarricense - Aleman de Cooperacion Tecnica, Proyecto Aire Limpio San Jose, 2006.

• Bioenergy Technology Evaluation and Potential in Costa Rica[3], by Suvi Huttunen and Ari Lampinen. Copyright University of Jyvaskyla. In collaboration with CATIE in Costa Rica and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland. 2005.

• LCA of Biodiesel in Costa Rica: An Environmental Study on the Manufacturing and Use of Palm Oil Methyl Ester (pdf), by Stephan Koch, University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW), April 2003.

• Biodiesel: Los aspectos mecánicos en los vehículos (pdf), by Erwan Bernard, Centro Nacional de la Producción más Limpia (CNP+L).

Policy

• Also see the the Spanish language page.

• President Arias' May 1st speech (Spanish Word doc), La Nacion, 2 Mayo 2007

News

• Tico Times – Guanacaste power company announces outages - Sept. 26, 2008 - In the face of too much demand, Coopeguanacaste, the electrical cooperative in the northwestern province of Guanacaste, on Thursday began a new wave of six-hour electrical outages in El Coco and Ocotal.

• La Nación - ICE plans 46% average electric rate increase ICE pretende alza promedio del 46% en tarifas de luz - Sept. 23, 2008 - ICE asked Aresep (Public Servics Regulatory Authority) to approve rate increases for residential, commercial and industrial customers. The 46% includes a 15% increase requested in August which is still pending approval. Distribution rates would also increase by 56%. The reasons given for the rate increase are the cost of diesel, inflation and lack of funds for investments.

• FECON Criticizes the Government's Carbon Neutral Stragegy. Los peligros del doble discurso: el caso carbono neutral viernes, 19 de septiembre de 2008

• IDB Biofuels Sustainability Scorecard, "The Sustainable Energy and Climate Change Initiative (SECCI) and the Structured and Corporate Finance Department (SCF) of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) have created a Biofuels Sustainability Scorecard based on the sustainability criteria of the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels. The primary objective of the Scorecard is to encourage higher levels of sustainability in biofuels projects by providing a tool to think through the range of complex issues associated with biofuels. Since the scientific debate around these complex issues continues to evolve, the Scorecard should be seen as a work-in-process and will continue to be updated and revised as needed. Comments can be submitted at the end of filling out the Scorecard."[4]

• Arias explores technology for biofuel production in Brazil, La Nación, [5], August 1 2008. As part of his official visit to Brazil, President Oscar Arias, visited a sugar-ethanol plant, from Moema Group, at San José de Río Preto, São Paulo. The visit allowed him to know the technologies used for biofuel production and electric power generation from sugar cane waste (bagasse). Costa Rica is looking forward to the opportunity to enter into clean energies, particularly from sugar cane bagasse, according to a press release by the Presidential Office.

• Prsident Lula promises aid to Costa Rica to produce biofuels, La Nación, [6], July 31 2008. Brazil's President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, promised technical and technological support for Costa Rica to produce biofuels. Lula da Silva said that Costa Rica has the conditions to lead a "biofuel revolution in Central America." He also emphasized the country's environmental sustainability and long tradition with sugar cane crops. Lula da Silva confirmed his visit to Costa Rica early next year. The presidents signed 10 agreements of technical cooperation offered by Brazil since 1997, among which, is the agreement to provide assistance in biofuel production.

• Gas stations will sell only gasoline and diesel mixed with biofuels starting in October. Further plans announced by the government here outlining when blending gasoline and diesel with biofuels will start, and which crops will be used. La Nacion, May 25, 2008. Related: Interview with Vice Minister of MINAE Julio Matamoros discussing what steps are being taken to increase local production of biofuels source crops like sugarcane, palm oil, yuca, sorgo, and tempate.

• LAICA increases ethanol production at plant by 25-30%. LAICA, the Costa Rican sugar producers association, is making moves to increase ethanol processing by 25-30% in accordance with the new terms of CAFTA, the free trade agreement with the US. La Nacion, April 7, 2008.

• Costa Rica plans to mix all gasoline with 10% ethanol and all diesel with 20% biodiesel by 2010, La Nacion, February 4, 2008.

• China to explore for oil in Costa Rica, La Nacion, November 7, 2007. Despite unsuccessful past efforts to find oil, many of which have faced opposition from environmental groups, Recope and PetroChina see renewed potential. Also includes a timeline of past drilling efforts in Costa Rica.

• Recope estudia desistir de licitación para ampliar refinería, La Nacion, November 2, 2007. The details of Recope (state oil company's) deal with PetroChina to refurbish oil refinery at Moin, Limon, Costa Rica. Would double capacity of oil production to 40,000 barrels per day. Peace with nature? Carbon neutrality by 2021? This is not the first step.

• MAG enfocará esfuerzos en cultivos para biocombustibles, La Nacion, October 31, 2007. MAG (ministry of agriculture) looks to develop biofuels, specifically with a goal of improving most depressed areas.

• Seeing Sugar's Future in Fuel, New York Times, October 18, 2007. How sugarcane production and trade in the aftermath of NAFTA is panning out in the United States. Food for thought regarding CAFTA.

• SÍ, 51,5%; NO, 48,5%, La Nacion, October 7, 2007. Costa Rica passes CAFTA. What might the future hold for Costa Rica's future ethanol production and exportation?

• Amelot Holdings and Pan-Am Biofuels team up to develop 2000-acre jatropha plantation in Costa Rica, Biopact, August 29, 2007.

• Costa Rica Ecolodge Ups Environmental Ante, TravelVideo.tv, August 20, 2007. Lapa Rios Ecolodge's use of biodiesel.

• Paz con la naturaleza main points enumerated. La Nacion, July 15, 2007. President Arias' editorial in La Nacion listing the 8 goals, both domestic and international, that compose his "Peace with Nature" initiative.
• President Arias formally launches "Peace with Nature" initiative, Tico Times, July 9, 2007. President Arias' plan for Costa Rica to address pending environmental issues like climate change and to further conserve domestic resources.

• Costa Rica pledges to be 'carbon neutral' by 2021, Reuters, June 8, 2007.

• Outages Spark Calls For Privatization, Tico Times Staff., Tico Times, May 4 - May 10, 2007.

• Spanish Company to Open Biodiesel Plant in Limon, Tico Times, March 5, 2007.

• País quiere ser primera nación con balance neutro de carbono, Alejandra Vargas M., La Nacion, 21 de Febrero, 2007. Country wants to be the first nation to be carbon neutral (.doc -English translation), Elizabeth Beall, Natural Resources Defense Council.

• Administration (President Oscar Arias) Aims to Reduce Global Warming, Leland Baxter-Neal, TicoTimes, 03 November 2006.

• Expertos estudian nueva opción de combustible natural, Luis Miguel Herrera Castro, La Prensa Libre, 16 de Octubre 2006.

• The Saudis Of The Southern Hemisphere David Adams, Forbes.com, October 9, 2006. Discusses the loophole to the ethanol import tariff created by Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).

• The Age of Ethanol?. By Paul Constance, IDBAmerica, Magazine of the Inter-American Development Bank, August 2006.

• Earth inaugura planta de biogás Luis Miguel Herrera Castro, La Prensa Libre, 27 de Septiembre 2006.

• José León Desanti: ‘No tengo miedo a la apertura en Recope’, La Nacion, 25 de Septiembre, 2006.

• Mayoristas turísticos atraídos por potencial del Pacífico norte, La Nacion, 25 de Septiembre, 2006.

• Costa Rica tiene medios suficientes para independizarse de los combustibles fósiles - editorial, Rodrigo Alberto Carazo, La Nacion, 29 de Julio, 2006. Costa Rica has the sufficient resources to become independent from fossil fuels (.doc -English translation)‎ , Elizabeth Beall, Natural Resources Defense Council.

• Entrevista. Roberto Dobles Ministro del Ambiente y Energía, Rodrigo Alberto Carazo, La Nacion, 24 de Julio, 2006. Interview: Roberto Dobles Minister of Environment and Energy (Costa Rica)(.doc -English translation)‎ , Elizabeth Beall, Natural Resources Defense Council.

• With Oscar Arias in, oil moratorium is out Robert Goodier, EcoAmericas.com July 2006

• Costa Rica to test ethanol as gasoline alternative, Pravda, September 22, 2005. Costa Rica's ethanol blending pilot program in the Pacific northwest.

Organizations

Governmental organizations

• Presidencia de la Republica de Costa Rica [7]

• Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía de Costa Rica (MINAE) [8]
  • La Oficina de la Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático (ENCC) [9]

• ICE (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad) [10]

• Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo, S.A. (Recope) [11]

• Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganaderia (MAG) [12]

Nongovernmental organizations

In Costa Rica

• Costa Rica National Cleaner Production Centre [13]

• CR-USA [14]

• FECON [15]

• Liga Agricola Industrial de La Cana de Azucar (LAICA) [16]. Costa Rica ethanol exportation statistics

• The Omar Dengo Foundation [17]

International

• Inter-American Development Bank [18]

• Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) [19]

• The Worldwatch Institute [20]

• Global Environment Facility [21]

• International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group) [22]

Companies

• Ingenio Taboga S.A.

• Ingenio CATSA (Ctrl. Azucarera del Tempisque)

• Energias Biogradables, Ochomongo, Cartago

• Shell Oil Company [23]

• Prize Capital [24]

• Corbana (Corporacion Banadera Nacional) [25]

• Grupo Numar [26]

• Ad Astra Rocket Company [27]

• CentralBiodiesel [28]

Academia

In Costa Rica

• Centro Agronomico Tropical de Investigacion y Ensenanza (CATIE) [29]

• Earth University [30]
• INCAE Business School [31]

Abroad

• Harvard University

• Berkeley

Notes

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/cs.html
2. ↑ http://www.panambiofuels.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=66
3. ↑ http://www.laica.co.cr/estadisticas.asp

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