Itaipu Binacional is one of the most visited attractions in Iguassu Falls city! The world´s largest generator of renewable clean energy and it is located on the Paraná River, at the Brazilian border with Paraguay. It offers 20% of all energy consumed in Brasil and 94% consumed in Paraguay. The plant is 12 km from the Iguassu Falls downtown, 38 km from the amazing waterfalls and 6 km from the Friendship Bridge.
In 1973 technicians started seeking in the rio Paraná to the best spot to build the massive dam. After studies and a little help of a raft they make their choice that was in a river stretch known as Itaipu, which in the tupi language means – “The singing boulder”. On that spot there was a island after a river bend where the current seemed to try its strength against the steep banks. They realize that was the perfect point, due to the great form that was made by mother nature.
The construction started in 1974 with the arrival of the first machines on the site. After 4 years, more than 9 thousand houses and a hospital were built for all people involved in the project. It has increased the population of Iguassu Falls in five times. An unbelievable number of people moving to the city.
During the concreting of the dam the site receives 7.207 cubic meters of concrete, a South American record, equivalent of a ten-story building per hour! With the concreting almost complete they faced a big challenge. Not even the roads were prepared to the transportation of huge pieces for the generating units. Everything were big and heavy making impossible cross some bridges on the way forcing them to take the longest route.
On November 5, 1982, the presidents of Brazil, João Figueiredo, and Paraguay, Alfredo Stroessner, officially inaugurated the world’s largest hydroelectric power plant, after over 50 thousand hours of hard work. And the first mechanical turn of a turbine happens on December 17, 1983. Itaipu Binacional finally starts generating electricity on May 5, 1984, when the first of the project’s 20 generating units goes into operation. Eighteen generating units were installed in the course of seven years.
Tour around Itaipu
You can visit Itaipu Binacional by three different ways.
Special Tour: You can go into the inner section of the dam. There are a bilingual guides, you have the access to a special room where a film on Itaipu is screened, and a special bus with water and guide-books on board. It takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. It is a seven-stop tour and you can take pictures and filming if you want to! It´s recommended booking in advance and the minimum age for this tour is 14 years old.
Tourist Excursion: From the central belvedere, you have a panoramic view of the power plant featuring the dam and spillway. Visits are made on Itaipu buses (for visitors traveling on their own) or on tourist buses, for those on organized tours. A documentary on Itaipu is shown prior to the departure. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and is available on both sides of the border. In Brazil, you can also choose to take the Combined Power Plant/Eco-museum Tour, which includes a stop at the Eco-museum after seeing the power plant or the Combined Power Plant/Biological Sanctuary Tour, where you walk two kilometers along an eco-trail inside the Bela Vista Sanctuary.
Technical-Scientific Company Tour: This tour is available only to companies, institutions, research centers, universities and schools. The tours take place from Mondays to Fridays (except holidays). You need to be book in advance and confirmation is subject to Itaipu’s schedule.
Visit the website for more information.
