Itaipu Dam (Portuguese: Itaipú; SAMPA [itaj'pu]) is the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world. It is situated along the Paraná River and produces 25% of the power of Brazil and 90% of Paraguay's. The plant is capable of producing power of 12,600 MW (megawatts), with 18 generator units of 700 MW each. The first generators started running in May 1984 and the final generator came online on April 9, 1991. It will be surpassed only by China's Three Gorges Dam, once it is completed.
It has been declared one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
External link
- http://www.itaipu.gov.br/ (in Portuguese, English, and Spanish)