Costa Rican president eager to work with Japan on renewable energy

Dec. 9, 2011 - pro.energycentral.com

Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla expressed optimism Friday that the Central American country may be able to generate all of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2015 and showed eagerness to work with Japan in the field.

Speaking to Kyodo News in Tokyo during a five-day official visit until Saturday, Chinchilla said she believes that the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant has "made Japan reflect" on the need to diversify energy sources.

Renewable energy, such as geothermal power, currently provides for about 95 percent of domestic demand for electricity in Costa Rica, which announced in 2007 its bid to go carbon neutral by 2021. The president said her country still needs to work on reducing gasoline consumption for transportation.

On Costa Rica's switching diplomatic ties from Taipei to Beijing in 2007, Chinchilla said, "Without doubt, (it was a) good decision for the country." She added that relations with China has since enhanced, especially in trade and investment.