Itaipu: Pioneer in Renewable Energy and Sustainable Collaborations

Itaipu leads the global energy transition with investments in hydroelectric, solar and biogas energy, supporting Foz do Iguaçu in the G20 and mitigating eutrophication.

Itaipu stands out as one of the leading organizations in the transition to sustainable energy around the globe. With a solid performance in the hydroelectric, solar and biogas energy segments, the entity not only supports the city of Foz do Iguaçu in the G20, but also works intensely to mitigate the impacts of eutrophication. The continuous search for innovative solutions positions Itaipu as a reference in the global energy sector.

A hydroelectric plant of Itaipu, co-administered binationally between Brazil and Paraguay, is not limited to just being the largest generator of clean and renewable energy in the world. The company also invests significantly in developing emerging technologies, including green hydrogen and synthetic fuel production. This commitment to cutting-edge technology reaffirms Itaipu's relevance in the global sustainability agenda.

Brazilian Presidency and the Energy Transition

The Brazilian presidency of the G20 placed special emphasis on the energy transition, a topic that will be widely debated in September at the Energy Transitions Working Group, in Foz do Iguaçu. A recent highlight of Itaipu, within this context, is the partnership to develop the first pilot plant designed to produce synthetic oil from a combination of biogas and green hydrogen, aiming to create sustainable aviation fuel, known as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This collaboration resulted in the installation of a Renewable Hydrocarbons Production Unit. The initiative was carried out with Itaipu Parquetec, on the Brazilian bank, in collaboration with the International Center for Renewable Energy – CIBiogás, founded by Itaipu in 2013, which manages biogas projects, and with the H2Brasil project, supported by a German institution to promote green hydrogen in Brazil.

Itaipu and Reservoir Conservation

Itaipu's concern with the issue of eutrophication, that is, the significant increase in nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen in the hydroelectric plant's reservoir, led the company to focus on the energy transition since 2006. This eutrophication phenomenon is the result of the discharge of animal waste on properties located around the reservoir, which negatively affect the quality of water used by the plant and adjacent municipalities. Itaipu understood that it was essential to transform this environmental problem into an economic advantage: biogas. With poultry and pig waste, biogas is produced that supplies rural properties with electricity, and surpluses can also be integrated into the electrical grid.

Benefits of the Itaipu Energy Transition

In addition to facing eutrophication, Itaipu began a robust energy transition process on rural properties, providing not only environmental but also economic improvements to agricultural producers, increasing their incomes and introducing a new source of wealth and renewable energy into the production chain. By guaranteeing access to electricity in Brazil and Paraguay, the Itaipu hydroelectric plant avoids large volumes of greenhouse gas emissions, thanks to its production from a clean energy source.

Impact on the Energy Matrix

In 2023, Itaipu was responsible for supplying 88% of all energy consumed by Paraguay and 10% of electricity consumption in Brazil. Furthermore, the binational power plant has invested in other renewable sources, such as solar energy thermal, solar photovoltaic, biogas and green hydrogen. On the Brazilian side alone, Itaipu invested 170 million reais in 184 municipalities, installing photovoltaic solar energy systems in hospitals and schools. The plant also supports the installation of small biodigesters in rural areas, helping to prevent soil and water contamination.

Commitment to Sustainability

Itaipu's role in the energy transition in Brazil is crucial, with investments in cutting-edge technology, actions to conserve water resources and support for the most vulnerable communities. This leading role places Brazil at the forefront of the global green agenda, in its continuous effort to decarbonize the planet. At the 2023 Energy Forum, held in Foz do Iguaçu, the Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, highlighted that almost 90% of the Brazilian energy matrix is ​​made up of clean and renewable sources. He also mentioned the global expectation that Brazil will be a leader in relations with industrialized countries, promoting the monetization of the energy matrix of developing countries to reduce social inequalities.

Itaipu as 'Battery' of the Electrical System

In addition to developing new renewable sources, Itaipu provides security to the electrical system, especially in the scenario of growth in solar and wind energy. The hydroelectric plant has the capacity to compensate natural fluctuations in the production of these intermittent renewable sources. In times of absence of sun or wind, Itaipu operates like a battery, providing energy quickly and safely to meet demand.

Synergy with Other Energy Sources

This Itaipu function, similar to physical batteries used in other countries, is performed efficiently due to the configuration of the Brazilian hydroelectric park. The massive insertion of solar and wind energy was facilitated by the existence of hydroelectric plants, with special emphasis on Itaipu. With the expansion of solar and wind power plants, there were changes in the system's load profile, with an increase in energy consumption in the late afternoon. On many days, Itaipu contributed approximately 30% of this increase. This highlights the importance of the binational plant for the security and stability of the electrical systems of Brazil and Paraguay, reinforcing its essential role in the regional energy matrix.

Source: Itaipu Press