Bidding notice for contracting the service was opened in July 2024 and has an estimated value of US$ 1 million
Itaipu Binacional intends to install a floating solar plant in the hydroelectric plant’s reservoir, with a capacity of 1 MWp (Megawatt-peak). The notice for contracting the service, with an estimated value of US$1 million, was published in July 2024 and provides for the supply of equipment, installation, commissioning and technical assistance. Binational consortia, formed by Brazilian and Paraguayan companies, can participate in the bidding process.
The floating solar plant will be positioned on the Paraguayan side of the reservoir. The Brazilian general director of Itaipu, Enio Verri, explained that the energy generated in the photovoltaic plant will partially meet the company’s internal consumption. According to him, the initiative is part of the company’s efforts to contribute to tackling the global climate crisis. Among the advantages of the project are the technological development of sustainable solutions in the energy sector, the creation of new businesses and the optimization of the reservoir use.
“These are environmental, social and economic benefits, and they are within the current context of energy transition. The solution found here at Itaipu could serve as a mirror for the installation of similar projects in other Brazilian reservoirs”, he stated, remembering that Brazil currently has one of the cleanest energy mix in the world, based on hydroelectric generation.
In addition to the implementation of the plant, Itaipu and Itaipu ParqueTec (formerly PTI) – Brazilian and Paraguayan margins – will develop the project “Studies for the Sustainability of the Floating Solar Plant (USF) in the reservoir of the Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant (UHI)”.
The project includes the preparation of generation comparison analyzes between the floating plant and other solar plants on land, analysis of business models for Brazilian and Paraguayan legislation, assessment of possible impacts on Itaipu’s internal energy network and simulations for possible expansion of the floating power plant and inclusion of battery systems.
The study will also assess possible environmental impacts of the photovoltaic plant on the reservoir, work that will be done in collaboration with the Coordination Board.
The superintendent of Itaipu’s Renewable Energy Advisory, Rogério Meneghetti, said that the analyzes will be able to confirm some of the environmental benefits expected from the project – among them, the reduction of evaporation from the reservoir and mitigation of algae formation, contributing to the preservation of aquatic ecosystems. By reflecting sunlight, water can also increase the energy capture of solar panels, generating greater yield compared to land installations.
Meneghetti adds that technical studies indicate that the Brazilian potential for solar plants in hydroelectric reservoirs reaches 4,519 GWp, with an annual generation of 4.4 million MWh – around 5% of Itaipu’s production in 2023.
Itaipu at G20
From September 30th to October 4th this year, the city of Foz do Iguaçu will host the G20 meeting. It marks a historic moment, being the first time that a city in the interior of Brazil will host the event, thanks to the partnership with Itaipu Binacional, which is one of the sponsors of the G20. This collaboration not only highlights the importance of Foz do Iguaçu on the global stage, but also puts Itaipu in the spotlight as an example of innovation and sustainability.
With initiatives like this, Itaipu Binacional reaffirms its mission of being a leader in the energy transition, contributing to a more sustainable future, which is one of the central themes of the G20 discussions. The plant not only provides clean and renewable energy, but also invests in technological innovation, becoming a symbol of how existing infrastructure can be adapted to meet the demands of the 21st century.
