Costa Rica Renewable Energy
Renewable energy consumption as % of total EG.FEC.RNEW.ZS
Costa Rica's renewable energy was 34.20% in 2021, ranked 70th globally. This represents a 6.0% decrease from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2021.
Overview
Costa Rica's renewable energy stood at 34.20% in 2021, a decline of +2.20% from 2020. Costa Rica ranked 70th globally.
Costa Rica’s share of renewable energy in total final consumption fell from an all‑time peak of 45.40 percent in 1990 to a trough of 28.90 percent in 1998, before gradually recovering to 34.20 percent in 2021, placing the country 70th globally. The 32‑year series shows a long‑term decline punctuated by a modest rebound in the 2010s, yet the current level remains below the early‑1990s high and only marginally above peers such as Croatia (34.10 percent) and Tajikistan (34.90 percent). The downturn in the late 1990s coincided with regional hydro‑electric constraints and a shift toward fossil‑fuel imports, while recent policy incentives for solar and wind have helped arrest the slide. Continued investment in grid modernization and storage capacity could lift the renewable share further, suggesting a potential upward trajectory if fiscal and regulatory support is sustained.
Data & projection
| Year | Renewable Energy | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 34.20% | −2.20% | #70 |
| 2020 | 36.40% | +3.00% | #68 |
| 2019 | 33.40% | +0.30% | #71 |
| 2018 | 33.10% | −0.20% | #71 |
| 2017 | 33.30% | −0.80% | #72 |
| 2016 | 34.10% | −4.20% | #67 |
| 2015 | 38.30% | +0.70% | #64 |
| 2014 | 37.60% | −0.20% | #66 |
| 2013 | 37.80% | −0.30% | #68 |
| 2012 | 38.10% | +0.10% | #68 |
| 2011 | 38.00% | −2.40% | #65 |
| 2010 | 40.40% | −0.30% | #62 |
| 2009 | 40.70% | +0.00% | #65 |
| 2008 | 40.70% | −0.50% | #65 |
| 2007 | 41.20% | −1.20% | #67 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Costa Rica matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 1995. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw renewable energy improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Costa Rica's renewable energy was 34.20% in 2021. Ranked 70th globally. This represents a 6.0% decrease from the previous year.
Costa Rica's renewable energy peaked at 45.40% in 1990.
The lowest renewable energy in Costa Rica was 28.90% in 1998.
Costa Rica ranks 70th globally in renewable energy as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is EG.FEC.RNEW.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The renewable energy of Costa Rica in 2021 was 34.20%. This ranks 70th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_costa-rica_renewable-energy,
title = {Costa Rica Renewable Energy},
url = {https://historysaid.com/costa-rica/renewable-energy/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}