Itaipu Dam
The world's most productive power plant, jointly operated by Brazil and Paraguay
Location
History & Background
Itaipu Dam was built between 1975 and 1984 on the Paraná River, which forms the border between Brazil and Paraguay. The project was the result of a 1973 treaty between the two countries that established Itaipu Binacional, a 50/50 joint venture that still operates the dam today. The original concrete pour set a world record for hydroelectric construction—160,000 cubic metres per month at its peak—and 40,000 workers lived on-site at the height of the build. Itaipu was widely regarded as the largest engineering project of the 20th century until Three Gorges surpassed it in scale.
Why It Matters
Although Three Gorges has higher installed capacity, Itaipu has produced more electricity in a year than any other plant in history: it set the world record of 103.1 TWh in 2016. Equally importantly, Itaipu provides roughly 85% of all electricity consumed in Paraguay, making it one of the most consequential pieces of infrastructure in South America. The plant runs at unusually high capacity factor (~80%) because it sits on a river with steady, high-volume flow year-round.
Environmental Impact
The reservoir flooded 1,350 km² of rainforest and farmland, including the spectacular Sete Quedas waterfalls, which were dynamited in 1982 to allow safe navigation. About 10,000 families were relocated. The dam disrupted migrations of native fish species, and Itaipu Binacional now operates fish hatcheries to mitigate population losses. On the carbon side, Itaipu is one of the largest sources of zero-emission electricity on Earth—displacing roughly 67 million tonnes of CO2 per year compared to a coal-equivalent.
Fun Facts
- The volume of concrete used in Itaipu is roughly 15 times the volume of the Channel Tunnel between Britain and France.
- The iron and steel used would be enough to build 380 Eiffel Towers.
- Half of Itaipu's 20 turbines run at 50 Hz (for Paraguay's grid) and half at 60 Hz (for Brazil's grid). The currents are then converted before transmission.
- When all 20 turbines run flat-out, the water that passes through the dam in one second could supply São Paulo for a day.
- The American Society of Civil Engineers named Itaipu one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much electricity does Itaipu Dam produce?▾
Itaipu has an installed capacity of 14,000 MW and typically generates 90–100 terawatt-hours per year. It still holds the world record for annual electricity production by a single plant (103.1 TWh in 2016).
Why does Itaipu have 20 turbines if its capacity is 14 GW?▾
Each of the 20 turbines is rated at 700 MW. Twenty × 700 MW = 14,000 MW, the dam's nameplate capacity. Half the turbines run at 50 Hz to match Paraguay's grid and the other half at 60 Hz to match Brazil's.
Who owns Itaipu Dam?▾
Itaipu is operated by Itaipu Binacional, a 50/50 joint venture between Brazil (via Eletrobras) and Paraguay (via ANDE). The structure itself spans both countries, and electricity is divided equally between them—though Brazil typically buys most of Paraguay's share.
Did Itaipu destroy the Guaíra Falls?▾
Yes. The Sete Quedas waterfalls (Guaíra Falls), once among the largest waterfalls in the world by volume, were submerged by the Itaipu reservoir in 1982. The remaining rock formations were dynamited shortly after to make the reservoir safer for navigation.
About Hydroelectric Power
Hydroelectric power plants use the kinetic energy of flowing or falling water to generate electricity. They are renewable, produce no direct emissions, and can provide reliable baseload power or flexible peaking capacity.
Other Hydroelectric Power Plants in Brazil
| Name | Capacity | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Belo Monte Dam | 11.2 GW | Norte Energia |
| Tucuruí Dam | 8.4 GW | Eletrobras |
| Jirau Dam | 3.8 GW | Energia Sustentável do Brasil |
Related Reading
Data Information
Data Sources
Power plant data is based on the Global Power Plant Database by World Resources Institute, in collaboration with Google, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Enipedia, and the Global Energy Observatory. Editorial content on this page is curated and reviewed by the StatsPanda team using publicly available reporting and operator filings.
Disclaimer
Information found on this page is for informational purposes only. Power plant specifications, ownership, and operational status may have changed since the data was last updated. Please verify critical information with official sources.