This Friday (4), in Foz do Iguaçu (PR), Enio Verri highlighted the company’s leading role in the debate on energy transitions
The Brazilian General Director of Itaipu, Enio Verri, spoke at the plenary meeting of the G20 ministers on Friday morning (October 4), the final day of discussions held by the Working Group on Energy Transitions, at the Bourbon Hotel in Foz do Iguaçu (PR). In his speech, the Director discussed the company’s role in supporting Federal Government policies, emphasizing Itaipu’s significance on the global stage regarding energy transition.
Enio Verri was introduced by the Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, who also serves on the Board of the Binational. The minister opened the plenary by summarizing the week’s discussions and highlighting the importance of building global governance concerning a low-carbon economy. Regarding Itaipu, Silveira stated that the company is “an example of energy integration in South America and of clean and renewable energy production, a key representative of our hydropower plants and the abundance of freshwater in Brazil.”
In his presentation, Verri highlighted Itaipu’s energy generation, from the milestone of 3 billion MWh produced throughout its history to new investments in biofuel plants, synthetic oil, and the potential to generate solar energy with panels on the surface of the reservoir. He also commented on Itaipu’s environmental initiatives and the partnership between Brazil and Paraguay.
“Managed by Brazil and Paraguay, Itaipu is proof that it is possible to produce clean energy, to build a strong socio-environmental policy in defense of the planet, and, above all, to invest in technological innovation and energy transition. Itaipu is absolutely committed, and I hope you all have the opportunity to visit us,” he stated.
Also participating in the plenary on behalf of the Brazilian government were Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Maria Helena Guarezi; Executive Director of Energy Transition and Sustainability at Petrobras, Mauricio Tolmasquim; Coordinator of the G20 Working Group on Energy Transitions, Mariana Espécie; Secretary for Climate, Energy, and Environment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, André Corrêa do Lago; Director of the Department of Energy at the MFA, João Marcos Paes Leme; Head of the Renewable Energy Division at the MFA, Laís Garcia; Head of the International Affairs Advisory at the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), Luís Guilherme Parga Cintra; National Secretary for Energy Transition and Planning at the MME, Thiago Barral; National Secretary of Oil, Natural Gas, and Biofuels at the MME, Pietro Mendes; and Director of Infrastructure and Climate Change at BNDES, Luciana Costa.
Itaipu in the G20
Before his speech at the ministerial plenary, Enio Verri reviewed Itaipu’s participation throughout the week at the G20 meeting and the 15th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM15) and the 9th Mission Innovation (MI-9), the latter two held at the Mabu Hotel. According to the Director, Itaipu gained prominence and global relevance in the energy transitions agenda.
“Itaipu ends this week of meetings as a major player in the global debate, with its socio-environmental policies, technological innovation, energy transition, and, above all, its commitment to a sustainable and free planet,” Verri stated. For him, the meetings were an opportunity to showcase Itaipu’s actions in energy production, environmental protection, and socio-environmental policies.
“The company has regained international respect. We were approached for bilateral meetings by several countries, and we received a large number of visits from energy ministers around the world. Just as Brazil is a reference in energy transition, Itaipu is becoming the major model for hydropower production alongside environmental policy.”
The Director concluded his analysis by commenting that the meetings in Foz do Iguaçu were a testament to Brazil’s ability to organize and lead global gatherings on the topic, such as COP 30, which will take place in Belém (PA) in 2025. “All eyes are on Belém, with the responsibility of the Federal Government and a very active participation from Itaipu throughout the process,” he concluded.
