Citing the steady showers that have fallen during the past few days and reports that the rainy season will soon be in full effect, President Oscar Arias Friday announced that the country's hydroelectric plants have been at least partially refueled and power rationing is no longer necessary.

Arias told this good news to a country that has been dealing with power rationing for the past couple of weeks during the inauguration of a new hydroelectric plant at San Miguel de Sarapiquí, in north-central Costa Rica.

At his side, Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) president Pedro Pablo Quirós said that a recent helicopter flight over the country's main dams confirmed that they have sufficient water to produce their share of the country's electricity without rationing, according to a statement from Casa Presidencial. Additionally, the National Meteorological Institute (IMN) is predicting more rains to come.

“The power outages have hurt Costa Ricans and the national economy a lot; however, Pedro Pablo Quirós tells us that if the rains continue everything will normalize; hopefully, that's how God wants it,” Arias said.

Costa Ricans have been making due with an inconsistent energy supply since April 19. The Chamber of Industries last week estimated that the country's businesses lost $20 million because of the blackouts (TT, May 4).

The President's welcome announcement was made during the inauguration of the new Cariblanco hydroelectric plant in San Miguel de Sarapiquí, which will provide energy to 110,000 homes. It will produce 82 megawatts, upping the country's total energy-producing capacity to 2,176 megawatts, the statement said. The $170 million project was completed six months ahead of schedule.

-Tico Times