Costa Rica Electricity: Generation Mix, Demand and Emissions
Costa Rica generated 11.7 TWh of electricity in 2025, according to Ember. Hydro was the largest source at 82.2%, followed by wind (13.3%) and other renewables (13.1%). Demand was 11.3 TWh and each kWh generated emitted -38 gCO2/kWh. These are annual statistics for 2025, with monthly figures through August 2026; they are compiled from national sources and are not real time.
Key Facts
- Costa Rica generated 11.7 TWh of electricity in 2025.
- Hydro supplied 82.2% of Costa Rica's electricity in 2025.
- Wind supplied 13.3% of Costa Rica's electricity in 2025.
- Other renewables supplied 13.1% of Costa Rica's electricity in 2025.
- Low carbon sources (nuclear and renewables) supplied 100.0% of Costa Rica's generation in 2025.
- Ember's published carbon intensity for Costa Rica in 2025 is -38 gCO2/kWh, below zero because some fuels show provisional negative emissions; treat it as close to zero until revised.
- Costa Rica had the 81st highest electricity demand among the 93 countries with Ember data for 2025.
Key Figures, 2025
| Measure | Value | As of / source |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 11.7 TWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Electricity demand | 11.3 TWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Demand per person | 2.42 MWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Net imports | -360 GWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Carbon intensity | -38 gCO2/kWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Power sector emissions | -0.44 MtCO2 | 2025 · Ember |
| Demand rank (countries with 2025 data) | 81 of 93 | 2025 · Ember |
Generation Mix, 2025
| Source | Generation | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Hydro | 9.58 TWh | 82.2% |
| Wind | 1.55 TWh | 13.3% |
| Other renewables | 1.53 TWh | 13.1% |
| Solar | 90.0 GWh | 0.8% |
| Bioenergy | 60.0 GWh | 0.5% |
Year by Year
Ember annual statistics, 2000 to 2025| Year | Hydro | Wind | Other renewables | Solar | Bioenergy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 5.62 TWh | 180 GWh | 980 GWh | 0 TWh | 20.0 GWh |
| 2001 | 5.60 TWh | 190 GWh | 990 GWh | 0 TWh | 20.0 GWh |
| 2002 | 5.87 TWh | 260 GWh | 1.12 TWh | 0 TWh | 50.0 GWh |
| 2003 | 5.86 TWh | 310 GWh | 920 GWh | 0 TWh | 50.0 GWh |
| 2004 | 6.42 TWh | 260 GWh | 1.21 TWh | 0 TWh | 20.0 GWh |
| 2005 | 6.50 TWh | 200 GWh | 1.15 TWh | 0 TWh | 70.0 GWh |
| 2006 | 6.53 TWh | 270 GWh | 1.22 TWh | 0 TWh | 70.0 GWh |
| 2007 | 6.70 TWh | 240 GWh | 1.24 TWh | 0 TWh | 80.0 GWh |
| 2008 | 7.31 TWh | 200 GWh | 1.13 TWh | 0 TWh | 80.0 GWh |
| 2009 | 7.15 TWh | 330 GWh | 1.19 TWh | 0 TWh | 120 GWh |
| 2010 | 7.19 TWh | 360 GWh | 1.18 TWh | 0 TWh | 140 GWh |
| 2011 | 7.06 TWh | 410 GWh | 1.28 TWh | 0 TWh | 140 GWh |
| 2012 | 7.16 TWh | 530 GWh | 1.40 TWh | 10.0 GWh | 180 GWh |
| 2013 | 6.78 TWh | 490 GWh | 1.52 TWh | 20.0 GWh | 180 GWh |
| 2014 | 6.65 TWh | 740 GWh | 1.54 TWh | 20.0 GWh | 180 GWh |
| 2015 | 7.99 TWh | 1.08 TWh | 1.38 TWh | 30.0 GWh | 180 GWh |
| 2016 | 7.95 TWh | 1.15 TWh | 1.34 TWh | 30.0 GWh | 200 GWh |
| 2017 | 8.59 TWh | 1.29 TWh | 1.12 TWh | 40.0 GWh | 200 GWh |
| 2018 | 8.26 TWh | 1.80 TWh | 970 GWh | 60.0 GWh | 190 GWh |
| 2019 | 7.75 TWh | 1.80 TWh | 1.51 TWh | 70.0 GWh | 190 GWh |
| 2020 | 8.29 TWh | 1.46 TWh | 1.69 TWh | 70.0 GWh | 190 GWh |
| 2021 | 9.29 TWh | 1.57 TWh | 1.60 TWh | 80.0 GWh | 190 GWh |
| 2022 | 9.45 TWh | 1.37 TWh | 1.48 TWh | 80.0 GWh | 60.0 GWh |
| 2023 | 8.54 TWh | 1.49 TWh | 1.53 TWh | 90.0 GWh | 60.0 GWh |
| 2024 | 8.00 TWh | 1.24 TWh | 1.60 TWh | 90.0 GWh | 60.0 GWh |
| 2025 | 9.58 TWh | 1.55 TWh | 1.53 TWh | 90.0 GWh | 60.0 GWh |
| Year | Generation | Demand | Carbon intensity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11.7 TWh | 11.3 TWh | -38 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 11.0 TWh | 11.2 TWh | 26 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 11.7 TWh | 12.1 TWh | 25 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 12.4 TWh | 11.7 TWh | 25 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 12.7 TWh | 11.7 TWh | 27 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 11.7 TWh | 11.2 TWh | 28 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 11.4 TWh | 11.4 TWh | 32 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 11.4 TWh | 11.2 TWh | 35 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 11.3 TWh | 11.1 TWh | 29 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 10.9 TWh | 11.0 TWh | 38 gCO2/kWh |
Full year by year history for Costa Rica, 2000 to 2025
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.
Month by Month
Ember monthly statistics through August 2026| Month | Demand | Generation |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-09 | 1.05 TWh | 960 GWh |
| 2024-10 | 1.07 TWh | 1.08 TWh |
| 2024-11 | 1.02 TWh | 1.04 TWh |
| 2024-12 | 1.04 TWh | 1.12 TWh |
| 2025-01 | 1.04 TWh | 1.21 TWh |
| 2025-02 | 980 GWh | 1.02 TWh |
| 2025-03 | 1.12 TWh | 1.04 TWh |
| 2025-04 | 1.09 TWh | 1.08 TWh |
| 2025-05 | 1.12 TWh | 1.19 TWh |
| 2025-06 | 1.05 TWh | 1.12 TWh |
| 2025-07 | 1.09 TWh | 1.20 TWh |
| 2025-08 | 1.08 TWh | 1.10 TWh |
| 2025-09 | 1.04 TWh | 1.01 TWh |
| 2025-10 | 1.07 TWh | 1.07 TWh |
| 2025-11 | 1.06 TWh | 1.09 TWh |
| 2025-12 | 1.07 TWh | 1.04 TWh |
| 2026-01 | 1.08 TWh | 1.06 TWh |
| 2026-02 | 1.01 TWh | 1.06 TWh |
| 2026-03 | 1.16 TWh | 1.10 TWh |
| 2026-04 | 1.10 TWh | 1.07 TWh |
| 2026-05 | 1.18 TWh | 1.18 TWh |
| 2026-06 | 1.13 TWh | 1.12 TWh |
| 2026-07 | 1.17 TWh | 1.19 TWh |
| 2026-08 | 1.18 TWh | 1.24 TWh |
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of August 2026.
Costa Rica Electricity FAQ
What is the main source of electricity in Costa Rica?
Hydro was the largest source of electricity in Costa Rica in 2025, supplying 82.2% of generation, followed by wind (13.3%) and other renewables (13.1%). Figures are Ember annual statistics.
How much electricity does Costa Rica use?
Costa Rica used 11.3 TWh of electricity in 2025, about 2.42 MWh per person.
How clean is Costa Rica's electricity?
Very clean: low carbon sources supplied 100.0% of generation in Costa Rica in 2025. Ember's published carbon intensity for that year is -38 gCO2/kWh, below zero because of provisional negative values for some fuels, so it should be read as close to zero.
Does Costa Rica import electricity?
No. Costa Rica was a net exporter in 2025, exporting 360 GWh more than it imported.