Itaipu Biomass Plant
180 MW biomass power plant in Brazil
Location
History & Background
Commissioned in 2010, Itaipu Biomass Plant is a biomass power plant located in Brazil with an installed capacity of 180 MW. It is operated by Itaipu Binacional. By installed capacity, it ranks among the top 10 power plants in Brazil.
Why It Matters
Itaipu Biomass Plant burns organic materials to produce electricity for Brazil, generating around 98,611 US-equivalent households per year. Biomass plants of this scale are often controversial—their carbon accounting depends heavily on the source of the fuel and on land-use changes.
Environmental Impact
Itaipu Biomass Plant's climate impact depends heavily on the source of its fuel. Sustainably sourced waste biomass can be near-neutral on a lifecycle basis; biomass from dedicated energy crops or from forests is much more contested, particularly when accounting for soil carbon and forest-regrowth timescales.
Fun Facts
- Among the top 5 biomass power plants in Brazil.
- One of the 10 largest power plants in Brazil.
- Produces enough electricity to power roughly 98,611 US-equivalent households per year at typical capacity factor.
- Has been operating for 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much power does Itaipu Biomass Plant produce?▾
Itaipu Biomass Plant has an installed nameplate capacity of 180 MW. At typical capacity factors for biomass plants (~65%), this produces enough electricity for approximately 98,611 US-equivalent households per year.
Where is Itaipu Biomass Plant located?▾
Itaipu Biomass Plant is located in Brazil at approximately -25.4086°, -54.5889°.
When was Itaipu Biomass Plant built?▾
Itaipu Biomass Plant was commissioned in 2010.
Who owns Itaipu Biomass Plant?▾
Itaipu Biomass Plant is owned and operated by Itaipu Binacional.
About Biomass Power
Biomass power plants burn organic materials like wood, agricultural waste, or dedicated energy crops to generate electricity. While renewable, they do produce emissions, though these are considered carbon-neutral in some accounting frameworks.
Other Power Plants in Brazil
| Name | Type | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| ⚡Itaipu Dam | Hydro | 14.0 GW |
| ⚡Belo Monte Dam | Hydro | 11.2 GW |
| ⚡Tucuruí Dam | Hydro | 8.4 GW |
| ⚡Jirau Dam | Hydro | 3.8 GW |
| ⚡Angra Nuclear Power Plant | Nuclear | 2.0 GW |
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.
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.