Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant Represents One of the Most Successful Chapters of Brazilian Diplomacy, Turning a Border Dispute into a Milestone for the Integration and Development of Brazil and Paraguay

Itaipu Dam Is Investing R$ 2.6 Billion in Structural Works, Actions That Strengthen Regional Integration, Energy Security and Development of the Region of the Dam, Paraguay and Brazil

Yesterday morning (02/22), President Jair Bolsonaro highlighted the leadership of the Itaipu Binational hydroelectric plant in ensuring the country’s energy security, as well as representing a symbol for the integration of Brazil with Paraguay and being a driving force in regional development. The statement was made at the inauguration ceremony of the Brazilian general director of Itaipu, Admiral Anatalicio Risden Junior, at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasília (DF).

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The ceremony was attended by dozens of authorities, including the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Carlos França; Mines and Energy, Admiral Bento Albuquerque; the Chief Minister of the Civil House, Ciro Nogueira; the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, Tereza Cristina; and the Vice-Governor of Paraná, Darci Piana, who represented Governor Carlos Massa Ratinho Junior. The Paraguayan General Director of Itaipu, Manuel Maria Caceres Cardozo, was also present, along with counselors from the binational.

Itaipu Dam Is Investing R$ 2.6 Billion in Structural Works, Actions That Strengthen Regional Integration, Energy Security and Development of the Region of the Dam, Paraguay and Brazil

According to Bolsonaro, the federal government’s austerity policy, followed by Itaipu, allowed for the allocation of resources to major works, such as the revitalization of the Furnas direct current system, which will receive R$ 1 billion in funding from the Brazilian side of the binational; and constructions such as the Brazil-Paraguay Integration Bridge and the expansion of the runway at the Foz do Iguaçu International Airport, among others.

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In total, Itaipu is investing R$ 2.6 billion in structural works, actions that strengthen regional integration, energy security and development of the region of the dam, Paraguay and Brazil. “This happens thanks to the serious way of choosing people to lead state-owned companies. Admiral Risden, who was the [executive financial] director of Itaipu and did a good job, has now been recognized to continue the good administrations that preceded him. We are sure that his work will be special for all of us,” said the president. “We know his potential to carry out this mission to manage, in partnership with Paraguay, our Itaipu Binational,” he concluded.

Appointed by decree published in the Official Gazette of the Union on January 27, Anatalicio Risden is the 14th Brazilian general director of Itaipu. During the ceremony, the term of office was signed by the director himself, in addition to Ministers Bento Albuquerque and Carlos França. The last general director of Itaipu to take office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE) was Jorge Nacli Neto, 30 years ago, in 1992.

Itaipu Will Continue to Follow the Guidelines of the Federal Government, Promoting the Valuation of Human Capital and Respecting the Relations Between Brazil and Paraguay

According to Admiral Risden, Itaipu will continue to follow the guidelines of the federal government, promoting the valuation of human capital, maintaining the rational management of public assets with austerity policy, in addition to respecting the relations between Brazil and Paraguay. “The dialogue and good coexistence, which guided the construction of this grand dam and made it an example for the world in various sectors, will continue to be the cornerstone principles of my management,” he stated.

The Brazilian general director recalled his trajectory at Itaipu and before joining the company. Born in Curitiba, he comes from a pioneering family in Foz do Iguaçu, which arrived in the region in the late 19th century, when the city was still a small village. “I have precious memories of the moments I visited the city and continued to observe its development. I saw the foundation of Itaipu Binational and was able to watch the dream become reality,” he said.

Appointed executive financial director in 2019, Risden was able to closely know the strategic actions of the company, in the areas of energy production, being a world leader in accumulated generation; diplomacy, with the friendly relationship with Paraguay; social, with the promotion of the development of the cities bordering the reservoir; and environmental, by the example in sustainable development. “Moreover, Itaipu is internationally recognized for being a model of leadership in the UN 2030 Agenda, fulfilling all 17

Goals of Sustainable Development with excellence. All of this proves that it is possible, with the effort of two countries, to unite environmental preservation with economic development,” he stated. 

Itaipu Represents One of the Most Successful Chapters of Brazilian Diplomacy, Transforming a Border Impasse into a Milestone for Integration and Development of Brazil and Paraguay

For Chancellor Carlos França, Itaipu represents one of the most successful chapters of Brazilian diplomacy, transforming a border impasse into a milestone for the integration and development of Brazil and Paraguay. He also highlighted the importance of the dam for the sovereignty and energy security of both countries and investments in environmental areas, now an example for the world. “Itaipu was born with the DNA of sustainable development,” he said.

The minister also praised President Jair Bolsonaro’s directive on the sanitation of state-owned companies, which, in Itaipu’s case, will allow for a reduction in energy tariffs for consumers and an increase in infrastructure investments in the region. In 2023, the revision of Annex C of the Itaipu Treaty is planned, which establishes the financial and service provision bases for electricity. “Itaipu will reach its golden jubilee (50 years) in excellent financial health.”

Minister Bento Albuquerque commented on Itaipu’s strategic role and how diplomacy, present at the core of the company, will be essential for the negotiations of Annex C. “This revision will be carried out in a positive context, thanks to the success of efforts made over half a century to ensure the settlement of this undertaking’s debt and within the timeframe envisioned by its creators,” he stated. 

“On the Brazilian side, we have been technically preparing since the beginning of President Bolsonaro’s administration for this negotiation. The Ministry of Mines and Energy has been doing this in close coordination with agents from the electrical system, consumers, and with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. And we have relied on the knowledge of Itaipu’s technical staff, always willing to contribute,” he stated.