Costa Rica is internationally known for its high degree of electrification (97.04%, 2005) and generation from renewable sources (which currently stands at 97.5%), which helps protect the environment and reduces in turn the country's dependence on oil for energy production.
The Costa Rican Electricity Institute, ICE, is the main responsible public entity in charge of generation and transmission activities, while distribution is allocated among the ICE and eight other public and private companies located in different regions. The ICE accounts for 38% of total energy distribution in Alajuela and other remote regions, while CNFL concentrates its operations in San Jose and has the biggest share of the national distribution grid (43.5%). The Cartago and Heredia regions are served mainly by JASEC and ESPH, which cover 6% and 5% of the total distribution network, respectively, while the remaining 4% corresponds to distributor co-ops that operate in rural zones.
Telecommunication services in Costa Rica have significantly developed during the last few years, a fact that has allowed multinational and local companies to enjoy a varied and advanced menu of telecommunication services, including dedicated services and broadband Internet.
Telecommunications services in Costa Rica are provided on a nationwide basis by two companies: ICETEL (a Telecommunications division of the Costa Rican Institute of Electricity) and Radiográfica Costarricense, S.A. (RACSA).
Manufacturing and service companies located in Costa Rica can count on several means for getting their water supply. Acueductos y Alcantarillados (a state company), local authorities, municipalities and other entities are responsible for supplying water according to the location. ESPH, a private utility company, handles water and energy distribution for the province of Heredia, while Cartago and Alajuela have their own municipal water services. Besides, private companies and individuals on a personal basis can request underground water extraction permits from SENARA (a supervisory governmental agency) in order to drill private wells.
