Residential electricity rates in Costa Rica will drop between 4% and 16% starting Jan. 1, 2026, the Public Services Regulatory Authority (Aresep) announced.

Aresep approved the reductions after completing a technical review of electricity production costs for 2023 and 2024. The analysis found a 35% decrease in generation costs, a change that will benefit residential customers nationwide.

Costa Rica’s electricity service is provided by eight state-owned companies, each assigned by law to specific geographic areas.

The Electricity Institute (ICE), which supplies most rural communities, will reduce residential tariffs by 14.92%.

The National Power and Light Company (CNFL), the main provider in San José Province, will cut rates by 14.95%.

The Public Services Company of Heredia Province (ESPH) will lower residential rates by 8.33%.

The Administrative Board of the Municipal Electric Service (JASEC), which serves Cartago Province, will reduce the basic household rate by 4.93%.

Coopeguanacaste, the electricity provider in Guanacaste Province, will lower residential rates by about 9.34%.

Coopealfaroruiz and Coopesantos, public service cooperatives serving rural cantons of San José Province, will apply a rate reduction of 16.44%.

Coopelesca, which provides electricity in the San Carlos Canton of Alajuela Province, will reduce rates by 6%.

Officials said Costa Rica’s baseline residential electricity rate is about $3 for every 140 kilowatt-hours consumed.

Aresep is the state-owned agency responsible for setting prices for public services and regulated products.

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How does the cost of residential electricity in Costa Rica compare with power bills in your home country?  We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com