NRECA International has been active in cooperative and rural electrification project development in Costa Rica since 1963.  There are currently four electric cooperatives in Costa Rica representing approximately 15% of the total electric distribution market in the country and roughly 40% of the rural-area service.  The four cooperatives are completely self-sustaining, earn margins on their operations, and are continually expanding their scope and range of consumer services. 

In 1989, NRECA International assisted the co-ops in forming a common-services consortium, “CONELECTRICAS,” which provides various services including power generation facility construction, financing and operations. NRECA’s assistance included developing the business plan and setting up the organization; carrying out selection, feasibility analysis, and design for small hydro projects (up to 40 MW); helping in the capitalization of CONELECTRICAS and co-financing arrangements for their development; establishing a related watershed conservation program; developing a bulk material and equipment procurement program; setting up a public information program and helping CONELECTRICAS in its advocacy activities on behalf of its member co-ops. 

CONELECTRICAS and the four co-ops are now rapidly building their asset base and power investment program, and are involved in activities as diverse as tropical rainforest protection to extending telecommunications services.

GDonated Digger Truck Leaves a Trail of Goodwill

For a small digger truck at Pennsylvania's largest electric cooperative, 17 years of hard service might ordinarily spell the end of a good career. But through a sequence of coincidence and international goodwill, this useful utility vehicle has been beautifully restored and given a new lease on life.