A Itaipu dam It is one of the most impressive engineering structures in the world and one of the great symbols of Foz do Iguaçu.
For, far beyond its visual grandeur, the dam of Itaipu Hydroelectric Power Plant It plays a fundamental role in generating clean and renewable energy for millions of people in Brazil and Paraguay.
With its gigantic numbers, surprising curiosities, and a history marked by international cooperation, the dam attracts visitors from all over the world who want to see this monumental work up close.
So, if you want to better understand how the Itaipu dam works, its height, how it was built, and why it's so important, keep reading!
What is the Itaipu Dam?
The Itaipu Dam is the structure responsible for damming the waters of the Paraná River to allow the generation of electricity at the Itaipu Hydroelectric Power Plant.
Located on the border between Brazil and Paraguay, in Foz do Iguaçu, it is home to one of the world's largest hydroelectric power plants in terms of clean and renewable energy production.
Furthermore, the dam is a fundamental part of the power plant's operation, as it creates the necessary drop in water level to move the turbines that generate electricity.
In other words, without the dam, it would not be possible to transform the force of the water into electrical energy.
Construction of the Itaipu Dam
A construction of the Itaipu dam It began in 1975 and was completed in 1982, the result of a historic agreement between Brazil and Paraguay.
The project was considered one of the greatest engineering challenges in the world at the time.
In fact, around 40 workers participated in the construction at its peak.
To give you an idea of the grandeur of the work:
- 12,7 million cubic meters of concrete were used.
- Enough quantity to build 210 stadiums the size of the Maracanã.
Furthermore, the amount of iron and steel used would be enough to build approximately 380 Eiffel Towers.
Another impressive fact occurred on November 14, 1978, when Itaipu broke a South American record for concrete pouring:
- 7.207 cubic meters of concrete were poured in a single day.
- Equivalent to building 24 ten-story buildings in just 24 hours.
Height of the Itaipu Dam
The height of the Itaipu dam is one of the aspects that most impresses visitors.
After all, the main dam is 196 meters high, roughly equivalent to a 65-story building.
Furthermore, the total length of the dam reaches 7.919 meters.
Its structure combines concrete, earth, and rockfill to ensure stability and operational safety.
At the top of the dam are located the water intakes, structures responsible for directing the water to the penstocks, the famous white pipes seen on tourist tours.
How does the Itaipu Dam work?
The dam functions by creating a large reservoir of water on the Paraná River.
This hydraulic difference in height allows the water to descend with enough force to move the turbines of the power plant.
Thus, it works as follows:
- The water from the reservoir passes through the floodgates.
- It follows the forced conduits.
- It moves the turbines.
- Generators transform movement into electricity.
Furthermore, when there is excess water in the reservoir, the Itaipu spillway is activated.
Itaipu Spillway: An Impressive Spectacle
The spillway is one of the most fascinating structures of the dam.
Ultimately, its function is to discharge excess water that will not be used in power generation, and the maximum flow capacity of the spillway is 62.200 cubic meters per second.
This represents a flow rate 40 times higher than the average of waterfalls of Iguaçu.
When the spillway is open, the spectacle of the water becomes one of the most impressive moments for those visiting the Itaipu Foz do Iguaçu dam.
In fact, the Spillway Viewpoint It is one of the main stops on the power plant's tourist tours.
Itaipu Dam Today
Currently, the Itaipu dam remains a global benchmark in the generation of clean and renewable energy.
The plant has:
- 20 generating units
- Installed capacity of 14.000 MW
- Average annual production of approximately 90 billion kilowatt-hours.
Furthermore, Itaipu supplies energy to a large part of the South, Southeast, and Midwest regions of Brazil, as well as Paraguay.
The dam also continues to be an important symbol of integration between the two countries and one of the largest tourist attractions in Paraná.
Interesting Facts About the Itaipu Dam
The Itaipu dam boasts impressive numbers and facts.
Check out some interesting facts:
Lake Itaipu is gigantic.
The reservoir covers an area of 1.350 km², an area larger than the entire urban area of the city of São Paulo.
Reforestation was Historic
Approximately 24 million native tree seedlings were planted around the reservoir.
This project has become one of the largest reforestation efforts in the world.
The turbines have impressive power.
The flow rate of just two turbines is equivalent to the average flow rate of the Iguazu Falls.
How to learn about the Itaipu Dam?
Visitors can explore the dam through the Itaipu Tourism tours.
The main options include:
Itaipu Panoramic
A tour of the power plant's exterior area with stops at viewpoints and impressive views of the dam.
Itaipu Special
In addition to the scenic tour, it allows access to the plant's interior areas and provides insights into the technical details of its operation.
Itaipu Illuminated
Night experience with monumental lighting of the dam and musical performance.
Itaipu Dam and Itaipu Hydroelectric Power Plant: What's the Difference?
Many people confuse the terms.
The Itaipu Dam is the structure responsible for damming the water of the Paraná River.
The Itaipu Hydroelectric Power Plant encompasses the entire energy generation operation, including:
- Powerhouse
- Turbines
- Generators
- Spillway
- Complete operating system.
In other words, the dam is only one of the fundamental parts of the power plant.
So, have you ever imagined seeing the Itaipu Dam up close?
So, enjoy your trip to Foz do Iguaçu Discover one of the greatest engineering and energy generation feats on the planet!
Images: Itaipu Tourism
