Identify one possible reason why there has been a change in the quantity of electricity generated from wind as shown in Figure 9(a).

With reference to Figure 9(b), calculate the percentage of energy consumed that came from fossil fuels in 2016.

With reference to Figure 9(c), suggest two strategies that would be most effective in reducing the use of crude oil in Costa Rica.

improved/cheaper technology;
change in environmental values / increase in popularity;
greater awareness of benefits of using wind power;
government policy / to achieve country’s goal to become carbon neutral;
increasing demand due to growing population 

Note: Do not accept ‘wind power is renewable/unlimited/more sustainable/a green energy source/more viable over the long term/produces less pollution’.
Do not accept 'changes in wind current’.
Do not accept only ‘greater investment/funds available for wind power/renewables’.

Workings: [1 max]
total energy sources: 2399 + 584 + 15 + 826 + 84 (ktoe) = / 3908 (ktoe);
amount from fossil fuels: 2399 + 15 + 84 (ktoe) = / 2498 (ktoe);
% from fossil fuels = 2498/3908 × 100;

Final answer: [1 max]
(=) 63.92/63.9/64 (%);

greater use of public transport that reduces individual car use (and therefore overall use of oil);
use of electric/biofuel/hybrid/hydrogen vehicles/cars (instead of oil-fuelled vehicles) /subsidize electric vehicles / higher tax on petrol cars;
adopting car sharing/pooling that reduces individual use of cars/vehicles;
use of congestion charges;
adopting policy that limits the number of cars a family/household can have;
reducing use of oil-fuelled vehicles by promoting walking/use of bicycles;
use more efficient forms of transport for goods eg boats rather than planes;
promotion of ‘km0 initiative’ (local production and consumption) which reduces need for transportation;
use of carbon tax on oil/petrol (to deter its use) / capping/regulating amount of oil sold;
use of quotas/permits within industry to reduce overall oil consumption;
residents/industry/ agriculture encouraged to use renewable/solar/wind energy (to replace use of oil) / government incentives/subsidizes to use renewable sources of energy;
use energy efficient machinery that requires less oil;
encourage more on-line/home working so people can stay at home (reducing need for travel);

Note: Do not accept ‘build new roads / subsidize green/clean energy / use legislation’.
Do not accept only ‘implement laws / reduce transport / find alternative energy sources / taxes / limit air travel’.
Accept other reasonable responses.

Responses varied widely for this question. A common error was suggesting that wind currents had changed or suggesting there was more investment in wind power without giving a reason for this.

Many candidates achieved at least one mark for partially workings. Most candidates correctly calculated the total sources of energy but incorrectly calculated the amount of energy from fossil fuels often omitting oil and coal.

Most candidates obtained some marks for this question. Common errors included giving generalised responses e.g. switch to alternative energy sources or not linking the use of public transport, car-pooling or bikes to a reduction in individual car use.