Geothermal Energy Exploration in Environmental Protected Areas in Costa Rica

Abstract

The great biological diversity of Costa Rica represents one of its largest resources, and it is a focal point of the country’s policies of environmental protection. For this reason the country is recognized worldwide as a leader in protecting the environment. In Costa Rica 25% of the country is environmentally protected and most of the geothermal resources are located in these zones; for this reason it is necessary to set the conditions for developing environmental-friendly geothermal projects in these areas. In the year 2008 Costa Rica’s Congress rejected a proposal for a law that tried to allow geothermal exploitation in national parks, so ICE is now working with environmental-related NGOs in order to carry out experimental projects in low-level protected areas. The main objective is to develop the know-how and to prepare a proposal for a new law.