The Itaipu Dam is a massive hydroelectric power plant on the Paraná River along the border near Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) and Ciudad del Este (Paraguay), managed jointly by Itaipu Binacional. The statistics regarding the dam are amazing with its 20 generating units (700 MW each) having a total installed capacity of 14,000 MW, ranking as one of the largest operational hydroelectric plants in the world.

Built between 1971 and 1984, costing USD17.6 billion with commercial operations starting in 1984, it is approximately 196 meters tall and spans nearly 8 kilometres across. In 2018, the energy generated was used to supply nearly 90% of the electricity consumed in Paraguay and about 15% of that consumed in Brazil. About 85% of the energy generated by the plant is used by Brazil. The two countries have an equal right to the dam’s production, but because Paraguay only consumes 15% of its share, it is obliged to sell the rest to Brazil, with 70% of the price covering the financing of construction. I visited this point as part of the IBRG SATEX-25 expedition.  Cross border structures are always interesting. I visited the Melkefoss and Skogfoss Dams on the Norway – Russia border which were equally interesting especially due to tensions of that border, very unlike here.

For border enthusiasts the highlight is crossing the border on the tour, which you do twice.

The scale of the dam is massive, and its construction was not without controversy. The initial treaty and construction deal was signed by military dictatorships, that Paraguay is forced to sell its surplus electricity at a discounted rate to Brazil is deemed unfair. The treaty has been rewritten to address this. Additional financial disputes involve allegations of debt recycling that vastly increased the overall cost. Ecological impact was huge with construction in the 1970s submerging the massive Sete Quedas (Guaíra) waterfalls and displacing over 40,000 people in Brazil and 25000 in Paraguay, including members of the Avá-Guarani Indigenous communities who have faced decades of unfulfilled restitution and legal battles for land rights. As recently as 2025 there was an espionage scandal involving Brazil.

Approaching the border, Brazil into Paraguay

There was no clear demarcation of the border, although there was a gradual change from Portuguese to Spanish signs.

The tour continued along the lower level before heading up to the top of the dam. All photos were taken from the tour bus.

Approaching the border, Paraguay to Brazil

The yellow lines on the road demarcate the border.