Renewable Energy Powers Chirripó Internet Access

Costa Rica turns to renewable energy sources.
New renewable energy project brings Internet to Chirripo Costa Rica

Visitors of the Crestones shelter in the Chirripó National Park can now chat online as Internet Access is reaching Costa Rica’s most inhospitable areas. At over 3,400 meters above sea level, the ‘Centro Ambientalista el Páramo’ or Crestones shelter as it’s commonly called, cannot receive electric power from traditional land lines so alternative energy sources were required.

Through the support and donations of Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the shelter now has additional electricity sources and internet access. The electricity is generated through solar panels that were installed years ago and hydroelectric power. The hydroelectric plant was recently built by ICE through the creation of a small dam on the Talari river. The UNDP donated the computer and a VSAT antenna was installed to send and receive Internet data. There are plans to boost the amount of energy generated through the addition of a wind turbine.

An ICE employee related to the project estimates that the amount invested in this project could exceed $120,000 (about 60 million colones).

This project serves as a pilot to test new technologies in remote areas of Costa Rica. Many regions in Costa Rica are still off the electric and communications grid and technologies like those being implemented and tested in the harsh Chirripó National Park environment could later be applied to other areas.

About Chirripó National Park

Chirripó National Park is home to Costa Rica’s highest peak - Cerro Chirripó Grande at 3,820 meters above sea level. The park is located about 56 km (34 miles in a straight line) southeast of San José.

The views are spectacular, and on a clear day you can see both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Costa Rica. Getting to the top is something for the strong-willed and able bodied as the trek is long, steep and treacherous. You can hire one of the local Tico sherpas to help carry some of your supplies.

Those who have made the journey to the top of Chirripó National Park say it is a life-changing experience. The variety of flora and fauna is unbeatable and you’ll go through a wide variety of ecosystems, from dense and lush tropical rain forest all the way to a desert-like tundra with stunted vegetation near the peak.

If you plan to go, make sure you make a reservation well in advance as access is limited to protect the fragile ecosystem. There are a ranger stations and hiker huts along the way where you can rest and spend the night. Bring warm clothes and a sleeping bag as it is not uncommon to get a light frost in the evenings and the wind can chill you all the way through. Also, train well and prepare yourself for this trek as it is not your average Sunday stroll. If you are prepared and in shape, you will be sure to enjoy this Costa Rica experience.

Crazy Athletes

If you are in for an extreme challenge, look into participating in the yearly foot race up Chirripó. Every year about 200 adventure sport fanatics get together to see who can make it up to the top and back down the fastest. The winners do this 34 km race in 3 and a half hours!

###

John D. Kloninger is a online marketer Living in Costa Rica. Born in California, he grew up in San Jose and then went on to University in Honolulu, HI and Boston, MA. You can contact him at jkloninger@gmail.com.

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.