Itaipu ended 2024 with 67 million megawatt-hours of production, a large amount for a year with low inflows (the amount of water arriving) to the plant. This entire amount would be enough for Itaipu to supply the world alone for almost an entire day.
The highest daily generation rate this year was recorded on December 18, when the station recorded a production of 298,000 megawatts per hour. Last month, with water availability better than in the rest of the year, and with high demand from the National Interconnected System of Brazil (SIN-BR) and the National Administration of Electricity of Paraguay (ANDE) for the power generated by Binacional, the plant recorded a rise in daily production Compared to previous months.
Itaipu’s production throughout 2024, as well as that of other hydropower plants, was affected by the severe drought that struck a large part of the river basins in Brazil and Paraguay, which was one of the worst droughts in history. Power generated in 2024 (67,087,994 MWh) was 20% lower than in 2023 (83,879,486 MWh), the year with the best generation in the past six years. However, even in this scenario, Itaipu was able to largely meet the power requirements of Brazil and Paraguay, operating very efficiently. The plant responds to about 6% of Brazil’s energy consumption and about 80% of Paraguay’s.
Power supplies to Paraguay achieved the highest annual value in history, exceeding 20 million megawatt hours for the first time. It was also the first time the neighboring country exceeded the utilization of more than 30% of the plant’s annual production. Likewise, the over 46 million MWh supplied to Brazil is also significant, making Itaipu, since the 1980s, the station that supplies the most power to SIN-BR and remains 60% higher than the second station that produces the largest amount of energy in the country. .
For the Brazilian Director General, Ennio Ferri, “These figures are very relevant and represent a significant contribution by Itaipu to the Brazilian and Paraguayan electrical systems in a year with significant water scarcity. Itaipu is doing its best to meet the energy needs of the two sister countries, which is only possible thanks to The high technical quality and professionalism of our Brazilian and Paraguayan staff.
The plant’s generating unit availability rate in 2024 reached more than 97.28% of the time, the third highest historical value and higher than the company’s target of 94%, which means that the plant is able to quickly meet the requirements of Brazilian regulations. And electric cars in Paraguay upon request. Under unfavorable hydrology, it was possible to make maximum use of the available water: for the second time in history, the spillway was not used at any time during the year to control the reservoir level and the plant productivity (the amount of energy generated by the water) (per cubic meter of water (arriving to the station) reached a level of 1.095 MW/m3/s, lower than only 2021, which recorded an average of 1.098 MW/m3/s.
According to Executive Technical Director, Renato Sacramento, “These figures are possible thanks to optimized operation and a meticulous maintenance process that ensures high reliability and availability of assets necessary for energy production.”
Lots to celebrate
2024 has been a year filled with many celebrations for Itaipu. On May 5, the plant completed 40 years of uninterrupted power generation since the start of production, on the same date, in 1984. On May 17, Itaipu Binacional celebrated its 50th anniversary. Throughout the year, other important dates were also celebrated, such as the 40th anniversary of the biological shelters managed by the company, a global reference in the care of animals and plants.
Guinness book
Ahead of its 40th anniversary of uninterrupted power production, the hydropower plant, on March 10, reached a historic milestone of 3 billion megawatt hours of energy accumulated since the start of production in 1984, cementing itself as the world’s largest generator of clean, renewable energy. Planet. This achievement was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records, which on November 1 of this year certified Itaipu’s production from May 1984 to October 2024 and awarded the plant the title of “Largest Accumulated Hydropower Production.” The announcement was made by the official Guinness World Records judge, Natalia Ramirez Talero, at a ceremony held in the hall of the production building, located above the plant’s power plant.
The plant’s cumulative production, recognized by Guinness, is enough to supply the entire world for 43 days and 17 hours. Furthermore, Itaipu was the first and remains the only plant to exceed the 2 billion MWh mark, a figure reached on August 8, 2012.
Comparisons
The approximately 67 million MWh produced by Itaipu in 2024 would be enough, for example, to supply the world alone for 23 hours, or Brazil for 37 days, or Paraguay for more than 3 years, or the state of São Paulo for 5 months. And 24 days. . It can also supply 114 cities the size of Foz do Iguaçu simultaneously.
Compared to other plants, Itaipu’s production in 2024 will be 3.1 times that of the Belo Monte complex; 2.3 times that of Tokoroi Hydropower Station; 4.2 times Santo Antonio; 5.5 times girao; And six times the Xingu Hydropower Station.
The change in load profile,is of greater importance
With the massive introduction of intermittent renewable energy sources into the electrical system in recent years, especially solar panels, Itaipu, like other hydropower plants, is in greater demand from the end of the afternoon, to compensate for the decline in generation from these sources. Intermittent, as well as to quickly and safely meet the increase in electricity consumption at this time.
In this context, Itaipu plays an important role, in addition to generating a lot of energy, using its high availability to meet load ramps (rapid growth in consumption) in a short period of time, contributing to the operational safety of the Brazilian and Paraguayan electrical systems and acting as a kind of “battery.” “natural to these systems. This is the role that all hydropower stations play, but Itaipu, due to its large size, also has a significant contribution in this aspect.
Technological modernization
To maintain its excellent performance rates, Itaipu Binacional is undertaking the most comprehensive technological modernization plan for the hydropower plant since it became operational, with investments worth approximately US$670 million already contracted.
The plan began implementation in May 2022 and provides for 14 years of services. The technological upgrade includes replacing many of the station’s control and protection systems, including the 20 generating units, the gas-insulated substation, the station’s ancillary services, the drain gates and the dam. The first generating unit is scheduled to be closed in 2026, following detailed planning and a series of preliminary works carried out at the station.
The operation also anticipates modernizing the Right Bank substation. Replacement of heavy electromechanical equipment, such as turbine, rotor and stator, is not included in the plan, as they are in excellent condition and far from the end of their useful life typical for this type of component. press office
