Biggest dam of Costa Rica starts 2014 with low water

Fewer reserves portends greater use of thermal generation

Hydropower provides 20% of all energy produced in Costa Rica

February 06th, 2014.

The Arenal, the most important source of the country's electricity, this dam began 2014 with one of the lowest water reserves, compared with the start of the last seven years.

For the second year, the dam recorded a level close to 540 meters above sea level (masl) in the month of enero.La minimum mark set for that plant is 525 meters.

Such a situation will erode in the coming months, the hydropower capacity of the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) and possibly force you to spend more money on fuel for energy.

In 2012, ICE spent ¢ 75,000 million in thermal generation (bunker). The sum amounted to ¢ 120,000 million in 2013 and this year, it is expected that the amount will be equal to or greater, which would move to the rates paid by customers of the Institute.

Ground key. With 330 megawatts of installed capacity, the Arenal resort on the north, is key to the power supply as it provides 20% of the generation capacity of the country.

He is also the only reservoir capable of storing water in a year by the end of the next generation. However, its contribution has declined due to reduced rainfall.

"The last three years have been very strict by the decrease in the amount of rainfall in areas that dam water. It's what nature has given us these years, "said Duran Elberth ICE spokesman.

In November, Nacional (IMN) Meteorological Institute that made an estimate for the first quarter of 2014 the deficit of rainfall recorded during the previous three years in the Caribbean slope is maintained.

In December, the reservoir level closed at 540.23 meters. Luis Pacheco Morgan, manager of the ICE, said that "a significant level" for the operation was achieved in 2014.

Dams argued that Cachi, and Angostura Pirrís have a higher level and programmed at the beginning of this year slightly improved wind and geothermal generation, compared to the same period in 2013. However, other sectors are less optimistic.

"El Arenal reservoir is comparable to a bowl. When the water level is high, there is more volume of water in the upper bowl. If the low level, the volume of water in the lower part will be much lower. Under the current water use in generation, the contribution of the reservoir in coming months will fall, "said Mario Alvarado, director of the Costa Rican Association of Power Producers.

The only way to meet electricity demand in the months without rain will burn hydrocarbons.

"That weighs on the bill we paid all Costa Ricans and limits our competitiveness to expensive an important service for the production," said Jaime Molina, president of the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Business Sector (Uccaep).

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