The rural community of Santa Cecilia in La Cruz Canton, Guanacaste Province, has been connected to the national power grid for the first time, the Electricity Institute (ICE) announced.

The new electrical service reaches 50 homes and the town’s sports field, located near the northern border with Nicaragua, through the Public Electricity in Rural Zones Program (PER).

The project required an investment of approximately $750,000, including the installation of 2 miles of power lines, 30 concrete utility poles and all the equipment needed to complete the electrical distribution network.

Officials said access to electricity is expected to improve residents’ quality of life by providing reliable lighting and allowing the use of household appliances.

Local farmers are also expected to benefit from technologies such as electric fencing to protect livestock and refrigeration systems that help preserve agricultural products, improving both animal safety and crop quality.

According to the Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP), Costa Rica’s national electrical grid now supplies power to about 99% of the country.

The Santa Cecilia project is part of a broader national effort to expand and modernize infrastructure in rural and coastal communities. Similar electrification projects have recently been completed in a small community in Alajuela Province.

ICE is the state-owned agency responsible for managing the country’s electricity and telecommunications systems.

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