COSTA RICA
For a country with a surface area of only 51 100
km2, Costa Rica has a surprisingly large hydro-electric
potential. Its gross theoretical potential is estimated
at 223 TWh/year, within which 43 100 GWh/year has
been assessed as technically feasible. Hydro output
in 1999 was 5 085 GWh, only about 12% of the technical
potential.
Aggregate hydro capacity was 1 233 MW at end-1999,
equivalent to about 75% of Costa Rica’s generating
capacity. Several new hydro plants are under construction
or planned: Angostura (177 MW) was completed during
2000, whilst Pirris (128 MW) is scheduled to come
on line in 2003. Guayabo (234 MW) is at the design
stage, with completion envisaged for 2006.
CZECH
REPUBLIC
The overall potential for all sizes of hydropower
is quite modest (technically exploitable capability:
3 978 GWh/year). Total hydro-electricity output in
1999 was 1 892 GWh, representing 48% of the technical
potential. Hydropower furnishes about 3% of the republic’s
electricity generation.
A relatively high proportion (nearly 40%) of the technically
exploitable capability is classified as suitable for
small-scale schemes; installed capacity in this category
at the end of 1999 was 283 MW, equivalent to about
31% of the Czech Republic’s hydro capacity. Actual
generation from small-scale schemes in 1999 accounted
for 37% of hydro output.
Small hydro schemes are covered by a state programme
for the promotion of better utilisation of renewable
energy resources and cogeneration. Under this programme,
projects seeking state support must have a payback
period of less than 12 years, the efficiency of newly-installed
turbines in small hydropower plants must be at least
80% and they should be used in through-flow plants
under automatic operation. In addition to the state
support programme, a free consulting service on small-scale
hydro plants has been organised by the Czech Power
Company (CEZ) and the Association of Entrepreneurs
for Energy Fuels Utilisation.
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