Key Costa Rican policymakers receive renewable energy training at EARTH

Dr. Mildred Linkimer gives a demonstration during the renewable energy workshop for Costa Rican policymakers.

From April 28-29, the Costa Rica/United States of America Foundation for Cooperation (CRUSA), the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and EARTH University hosted a training course in renewable energies on EARTH’s Guacimo campus. The workshop was attended by 23 policymakers from the government and the private sector, including elected members of the new Legislative Assembly, analysts from the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (ARESEP), personnel from the Controller General of the Republic and representatives from the Costa Rican Ministry of Environment (MINAE).

The goal of the workshop was to build a consensus on an energy model for Costa Rica, highlighting issues such as the availability of renewable energy sources and the current regulatory framework.

“Achieving a national consensus on this issue is a critical aspect that needs to be addressed promptly by the main players in this country, and the technical argument is the factor on which future decisions are made,” said Fred Denton, executive director of the CRUSA Foundation.

Irene Cañas, Coordinator of the 4E Program at GIZ, added that “these workshops are important because they provide the necessary tools to achieve energy diversification and greater independence from fossil fuels, in addition to updating the policies that govern the national energy sector.”

Dr. Bert Kohlmann, director of EARTH’s Center for Research and Development of Renewable Energies (CIDER), said the role of EARTH University in this forum was “to increase the technical skills of the participants by presenting a variety of technologies and basic energy concepts, leading to a better understanding of the existing technical rules and regulations.”