Unlocking Costa Rica's Green Hydrogen Potential: Financial Viability and Scalability Analysis
Key Ideas
  • Costa Rica's Guanacaste region emerges as highly favorable for green hydrogen production due to abundant solar irradiance and wind speeds.
  • Monte Carlo simulations reveal increasing Net Present Values (NPVs) over longer project lifetimes, signaling economic sustainability.
  • High hydrogen production costs are identified as a challenge, necessitating policy incentives, international cooperation, and innovative financing models.
  • The study's significance lies in providing actionable insights for policymakers and investors to support Costa Rica's role in the global green hydrogen economy.
This study delves into evaluating the financial viability and scalability of green hydrogen production in Costa Rica by focusing on solar and wind energy resources. Through the analysis of seven key provinces using data on Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) and wind speeds, the study identifies Guanacaste as the most favorable region for green hydrogen production. With solar irradiance of 5.49 kWh/m2/day and wind speeds of 6.59 m/s, Guanacaste showcases significant potential for renewable energy utilization. The research utilizes Monte Carlo simulations to calculate the Net Present Value (NPV) and hydrogen production costs over varying project lifetimes. Over a 10-year span, onshore wind demonstrates an NPV of $1,519.79 USD, while offshore wind projects a higher NPV of $2,320.24 USD. These values exhibit substantial growth over longer periods, with 25-year NPVs reaching $3,687.40 USD and $5,890.72 USD for onshore and offshore wind, respectively. Further extending to 50 years, the NPVs rise to $7,456.21 USD and $11,560.38 USD. Despite the promising potential, the study highlights the challenge of high hydrogen production costs, estimated at $49,696.75 USD from solar and $14,923.19 USD from wind energy. To address these cost barriers, the research emphasizes the importance of implementing policy incentives, fostering international cooperation, and exploring green bonds to drive down costs and enhance the scalability of green hydrogen production. Recognizing the crucial role of green hydrogen in achieving decarbonization goals, the study underscores the significance of transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar PV and wind energy. By offering detailed financial analyses and insights, the research aims to guide policymakers, investors, and researchers in leveraging Costa Rica's renewable energy potential to establish the country as a prominent player in the global green hydrogen economy. Through targeted interventions and collaborative strategies, Costa Rica can overcome the financial obstacles and contribute significantly to advancing sustainable energy practices on a global scale.
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