Hydro Electrical Plants Become A Headache For ICE
The hydro electric generating plants at Cachí, Angostura and Arenal has become a big headache for the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) after being hailed as great investments.

Their reservoirs tell the whole story.

The current energy crisis that is gripping the country, forcing the state power institute to ration the flow of electricity is being blamed on nature and the changing weather patterns.

Global warming and waste have combined to dry up the waters in the 7.500 acre reservoir that feeds the hydro electric generators at Angostura. There water levels have dropped between six and eight metres.

At Angostura, the turbines only turn at peak hours to supply electricity.

The same situation is repeating itself at Arenal, where the situation is "complicated" according to ICE technicians.

At Cachí, the reservoir is worrying ICE officials, that even though it has been raining in the area the last couple of days, it is not sufficient, as the reservoir continues to be below normal levels and not rising.

Although neighbours complain of having heard the reservoir being dumped in the middle of night, hearing the roar of rushing water from the dam, ICE assures that that is not the case, emphatically denies the charges of intentionally draining the reservoir to force its political will on the people.

Costa Ricans had lost the habit of living with constant power outages as in days past. During this current crisis, everyone has had to adjust their habits until ICE can again normalize the situation.