Environmental Management at Geothermal Fields of Costa Rica after 20 years of Exploitation

Abstract

The great biological diversity of Costa Rica represents one of their main resources and is a focal point of the country’s policies on environmental protection. The environmental authorities need to find ways to reduce the environmental impacts and for this reason the geothermal resources development are necessary. The lows environmental impacts in the geothermal projects contribute in reducing the impacts related to the energy production helping to keep the natural balance between human well being and conservation. This document discusses the different environmental aspects related to the exploitation of the Geothermal Fields in Costa Rica, how the environmental management has been carried out and the results of this management so far. As a conclusion is shows the feasibility of the sustainable development of geothermal projects, and also how this projects can contribute to recover the environmental quality in areas that have been previously affected by the human activity.