59
2016 ANNUAL REPORT
Asphalt and asphalt emulsions
Alternative Fuels
As a result of an increasing environmental
awareness, cleaner alternative fuels with
reduced carbon footprints, such as natural
gas and biofuels, have been increasingly
incorporated to the global energy matrix.
Research on biofuels and alternative
fuels conducted by RECOPE is aligned
with the National Energy Efficiency
Action Plan, namely its 2016-2021
Strategic Plan: “To be a model
company in terms of competitiveness
and development in Costa Rica, and
to be renowned for the effectiveness
of the National Fuel System, for the
implementation of cleaner alternative
fuels, and for innovation.”
Nevertheless, Law 6588 defines the
competencies of RECOPE for refining,
transporting, and bulk selling petroleum
and petroleum products. Hence, it is
considered necessary that the Legislative
Assembly approve bill 19.498, which
has been approved by the Economic
Affairs Commission.
This bill would vest RECOPE with the
authority to produce, industrialize,
and research biofuels, hydrogen
technologies, and other alternative
clean and renewable energy sources
that would satisfy Costa Rica’s energy
needs in a sustainable manner, without
furthering the current monopoly on
petroleum and petroleum products.
It is worth mentioning that the efforts to
incorporate natural gas and biofuels to
the country’s energy mix are currently
encountering obstacles, such as the lack
of local natural gas and the insufficient
production of biofuels. In light of the
above, and on account of the rate of
hydrocarbon consumption in Costa
Rica, the country is likely to continue
depending on petroleum products for
the next few decades.
The Department of Planning has
conducted relevant pre-investment
studies for the asphalt emulsions
production plant project in El Alto
Terminal. This project requires an
investment of approximately $11,4
million.
Pre-investment studies were also
conducted for a project to produce
modified asphalt in Moín, which
requires an investment of approximately
$9,7 million.
