IADB funds Costa Rica hydropower project

The Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) is to provide US$ 200 million in financing for the development of Central America’s largest renewable energy project – the Reventazón hydropower plant in Costa Rica.

The 305.5 MW hydropower plant is to be developed in the Limon Province of Costa Rica and, when completed, will produce 10% of the country’s electricity.

The plant will use waters from the Reventazón River to generate 1,407 GWh of electricity a year. The project, sponsored by the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad, includes the construction of a 130 m high dam, flooding of a 6.9 km² reservoir and a 4.2 km river diversion between the dam and powerhouse. The plant is expected to become operational in August 2016.