As a world leader in the cumulative production of clean and renewable energy, the Itaipu binational power plant is at the forefront of global energy transition efforts. The issue, which is one of the priorities of Brasil under the presidency of G20, will be discussed at an international level at the Energy Transitions Working Group in Foz do Iguaçu in September.
Itaipu's most recent action in support of the energy transition is a partnership that will create the first pilot plant for the production of synthetic oil from a mix of biogas and green hydrogen for use as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The partnership resulted in the installation of a Renewable Hydrocarbons Production Unit.
The partnership was signed with Itaipu Parquetec (maintained by the Binational on the Brazilian Margin), with the International Center for Renewable Energies - CIBiogás (created by Itaipu in 2013 to manage biogas projects) and with the H2Brasil project (maintained by a German institution to support the expansion of green hydrogen in Brasil).
By guaranteeing access to electricity in both Brasil and Paraguay, Itaipu avoids large volumes of greenhouse gas emissions due to its production from a clean source, hydroelectricity. In 2023, Itaipu was responsible for supplying 88% of all the electricity consumed in Paraguay and 10% of Brazilian consumption.
The Itaipu plant's concern about eutrophication, or the increase of nutrients, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen, in the plant's reservoir, which leads to the excessive appearance of organisms such as algae and cyanobacteria, was one of the reasons why the company supported the energy transition in 2006. Eutrophication is caused by the discharge of waste from animals confined to properties around the reservoir, compromising the quality of the water that supplies the plant and neighboring municipalities.
Itaipu understood that it would be necessary to generate knowledge about how to transform this environmental liability into an economic asset: biogas. This gas is produced from poultry and pig waste, which supplies electricity to farms, and the surplus can be fed into the electricity grid. Thus, in addition to seek a solution to the issue of eutrophication, Itaipu has initiated a process of energy transition on farms, bringing environmental and economic benefits to rural producers, increasing their incomes and including a new source of renewable energy and wealth in their production chain.
Energy for two countries
By guaranteeing access to electricity in both Brasil and Paraguay, Itaipu avoids large volumes of greenhouse gas emissions due to its production from a clean source, hydroelectricity. In 2023, Itaipu was responsible for supplying 88% of all the electricity consumed in Paraguay and 10% of Brazilian consumption.
The plant also makes a major contribution to both countries in the use of other renewable energies, such as solar thermal, solar photovoltaic, biogas and green hydrogen. On the Brazilian side, Itaipu has invested BRL 170 million in 184 municipalities so that hospitals and schools can have photovoltaic energy installations. There are also investments in small-scale biodigesters on rural properties, preventing water and soil contamination.
The Itaipu plant has increasingly taken on a leading role in Brasil's energy transition, with investments in technology, actions to conserve water resources and support for the most vulnerable communities. This leading role is helping to put the country at the forefront of the global green agenda, in an incessant effort to decarbonize the planet. Regional cooperation and a commitment to sustainability are essential if the world is to overcome the challenges of the climate crisis.
Taking part in the 2023 Energy Forum in Foz do Iguaçu (September 2023), Brasil's Minister of Mines and Energy (Minas e Energia do Brasil), Alexandre Silveira, pointed out that almost 90% of Brasil's energy matrix is clean and renewable. "And there is a great expectation in the world that the country will lead the Global South in its relationship with industrialized countries and monetize the energy matrix of developing countries, generating wealth to combat the social differences that are still quite latent in our society," he stated.
Itaipu: "Battery" of the electrical system
Itaipu supports and contributes to the development of new renewable sources. But at the same time, it provides security to the electricity system in a context of growth in these new sources, especially solar and wind energy. Hydroelectric plants have the ability to compensate for natural fluctuations in the generation of intermittent renewable sources. In other words, in the absence of sun or wind, a secure source is needed to quickly meet the demand for energy.
As a large hydroelectric plant, Itaipu acts as a kind of "battery" for the electricity system, supplementing demand in the face of variations in other sources. In many countries, this happens with greater difficulty, with the use of physical batteries, while in Brasil the role has been taken on naturally by the hydroelectric park already installed. It is no exaggeration, therefore, to recognize that the massive introduction of solar and wind sources in Brasil was also made possible by the existence of hydroelectric plants, especially Itaipu.
Hydroelectric plants have the ability to compensate for natural fluctuations in the generation of intermittent renewable sources. In other words, in the absence of sun or wind, a secure source is needed to quickly meet the demand for energy.
In addition, due to the expansion of wind and solar power plants, it is also possible to observe a change in the system's load profile, with large consumption ramps in the late afternoon. On many days, Itaipu has contributed around 30% of the supply for these bands. This reinforces the importance of the plant in guaranteeing the security and stability of the Brazilian and Paraguayan electricity systems.
Itaipu
With 20 generating units and 14,000 MW of installed capacity, Itaipu is the world leader in the generation of clean and renewable energy, having produced 3 billion MWh since 1984. In 2023, it was responsible for around 10% of Brasil's electricity supply and 88% of Paraguay's.
