Geothermal Energy: Development Opportunities for the Miravalles Area, Costa Rica

Abstract

The exploitation of the Miravalles Geothermal Field has brought a great development to the nearby areas to the field. The beautiful gift that the nature gave to this area, the Miravalles Volcano, is the main character of this history. The geothermal field that lies under its impressive view has given development to the nearby towns, thanks to the necessary improvement in infrastructure for the production of the geothermal energy, being this project a pillar in the energy structure in the country. The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), in charge of the development of the geothermal projects in the country and as a public entity with a command of social responsibility, has cooperated with the development of the towns of the area.
The area of Miravalles in its beginnings was invaded by farmers, and thanks to the effort and those first residents courage that fought to get something of land to sow, the skirts of the Miravalles Volcano began to be colonized. The development of the geothermal energy in Miravalles was taken as an opportunity and it was well seen for the residents of this area, when it brought infrastructure development, study opportunities, employment generation as much for these inhabitants as for others of the country that were attracted to migrate to this area. Other non traditional development possibilities of the area were also created, as it is the tourism.
Thanks to this situation it is observed the benefits that an appropriate development with a socially responsible vision can bring to the near populations to a geothermal development.