Costa Rica Electricity Mix
Costa Rica generated 100% of its electricity from renewable sources in 2025, above the world average of 33.8%. Each kilowatt-hour produced emitted about 24 grams of CO₂.
Data year 2025 · Source: Ember and Energy Institute via Our World in Data
How much electricity in Costa Rica comes from renewables?
Renewable sources produced 100% of the electricity generated in Costa Rica in 2025. The world average was 33.8% in 2025. The share is about the same as in 2000, when it was 99.1%. That ranks Costa Rica 4th of 210 countries and territories by renewable share.
Electricity mix by source
Hydro is the largest source of electricity in Costa Rica, at 74.8% of generation, followed by wind at 12.1% and other renewables at 11.9%. Fossil fuels together supplied 0%.
Carbon intensity of electricity
Generating one kilowatt-hour of electricity in Costa Rica emitted about 24 grams of CO₂ in 2025, 95% below the world average of 458 g. At that rate, a business using 10,000 kWh a year would be responsible for roughly 242 kg of CO₂ from electricity.
This is an estimate based on the generation mix. For a formal carbon report, use the grid factor published by the national energy or environment agency. Our guide to emission factors explains the difference.
How Costa Rica compares
Countries closest to Costa Rica when ranked by renewable share of electricity. See the full ranking, or the CO₂ emissions of Costa Rica.
| # | Country | Renewables | Low-carbon | g CO₂/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Bhutan | 100% | 100% | 24 |
| 3 | Central African Republic | 100% | 100% | 0 |
| 4 | Costa Rica | 100% | 100% | 24 |
| 5 | Democratic Republic of Congo | 100% | 100% | 28 |
| 6 | Ethiopia | 100% | 100% | 23 |
Frequently asked questions
What share of electricity in Costa Rica is renewable?
100% in 2025. The share is about the same as in 2000, when it was 99.1%. Counting nuclear as well, 100% of electricity came from low-carbon sources.
What is the main source of electricity in Costa Rica?
Hydro is the largest source of electricity in Costa Rica, at 74.8% of generation, followed by wind at 12.1% and other renewables at 11.9%.
How clean is electricity in Costa Rica?
Generating one kilowatt-hour emitted about 24 grams of CO₂ in 2025, 95% below the world average of 458 g.
Is renewable electricity growing in Costa Rica?
The renewable share has barely changed: 100% in 2025 against 99.1% in 2000.
About the data. Shares are percentages of the electricity generated inside the country in a year. Renewables are hydro, wind, solar, bioenergy and other renewable sources. Low-carbon adds nuclear. The latest year differs between countries and is shown on each page. Carbon intensity is an estimate of the CO₂ emitted per kilowatt-hour generated, including emissions over the life of each power source.
Source: Ember and the Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy, processed by Our World in Data and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence.
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