Costa Rican utility Coopelesca has begun commercial operation of its 22.8-MW Cubujuqui small hydroelectric project, HydroWorld.com has learned.

Located in Horquetas de Sarapiquí, the hydropower project is a turn-key operation jointly supplied by Voith Hydro Brazil and Voith Hydro India, which features two Voith-manufactured 11.4 MW Francis turbines.

"We are very satisfied with the results we have achieved," said Voith Hydro Brazil President and CEO Osvaldo San Martin. "Cubujuqui constitutes a success for the company, as well as a reference in Central America."

The project was constructed to help meet Costa Rica's growing demand for energy. Recently, HydroWorld.com also reported that utility company Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) will be adding about 40 MW-wrth of hydroelectric power near San Carlos.

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