Costa Rica's PLN proposes new energy security and electrical modernization laws

The National Liberation Party (PLN) has introduced four legislative initiatives aimed at modernizing Costa Rica’s national electrical system. The primary proposal, titled the ‘Energy Security and National Electrical System Modernization Law,’ seeks to ensure a continuous power supply and prepare the country for rising demand, droughts, and potential energy emergencies.

Key features of the PLN proposal include prioritizing domestic electricity consumption over exports, strengthening the Electrical System Operation and Control Directorate (DOCSE) to ensure technical decision-making, and creating a National Energy Saving and Tariff Protection Program. This program would offer tariff credits to households and businesses that voluntarily reduce consumption during critical periods. Additionally, the plan aims to facilitate residential self-consumption by exempting solar panel users from certain generation-related charges.

However, the ruling Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO) has announced it will not support the PLN’s initiatives. PPSO deputy Juan Manuel Quesada criticized the proposals, labeling them a ‘smoke screen’ that fails to change the national electrical system. The PPSO indicated that if the PLN does not support the government’s own harmonization project, the ruling party will develop a ‘Plan B’ to move their own legislation forward.