Asunción, Nov 1 (EFE).- The Itaipú dam, shared by Paraguay and Brazil, achieved this Friday the Guinness record for the “largest accumulated production of hydroelectric energy”after having exceeded 3,038 million megawatt hours of energy generated since it began operations in May 1984, official sources reported.
“Today we celebrate a record of our workers, a record of the tens of thousands of people who have passed through Itaipú Binacional,” highlighted the Paraguayan general director of Itaipú, Justo Zacarías, in a press conference from the dam facilities. located on the border between Paraguay and Brazil.
The official described the dam as a “celebration of Paraguayan and Brazilian integration.”
For her part, the award judge Natalia Ramírez explained that the closing date of the measurement was this Wednesday, October 30.
“All this information, all this evidence, we verified with two specialist witnesses, two people external to the Binational Hydroelectric Company, who carried out a thorough validation of the information received,” he added.
According to the judge, It is the first time in the world that a hydroelectric plant applies for a Guinness record and indicated that the minimum production to be exceeded was established at 2.5 billion megawatts per hour through an international standard.
The Itaipú hydroelectric dam is a giant that is 7,744 meters long and has a maximum height of 196 meters, equivalent to a 65-story building.
The plant, whose construction began in 1974, produces around 13% of the electrical energy consumed in Brazil and around 90% of Paraguayan consumption.
With 20 generating units and 14,000 megawatts of installed power, Itaipú is the third most powerful hydroelectric plant in the world, behind the Chinese Three Gorges and Baihetan.
But it is also the second largest in the world, following the Three Gorges.
Until today, Itaipu continues to be the world leader in clean and renewable energy generation.
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**Interview with Justo Zacarías, General Director of Itaipú Binational**
**Editor:** Good afternoon, Mr. Zacarías. Congratulations on achieving this remarkable milestone regarding the Itaipú dam. Can you share with us what this Guinness record means for both Paraguay and Brazil?
**Zacarías:** Thank you! This record is not only a significant achievement for Itaipú but also a celebration of the collaboration and harmonious relationship between Paraguay and Brazil. It symbolizes our joint efforts and highlights the strength of our integration. The dam has produced over 3,038 million megawatt-hours since operations began in 1984, which is a testament to our commitment to renewable energy and sustainable development.
**Editor:** That’s quite an impressive figure! Could you elaborate on the process that led to this Guinness record recognition?
**Zacarías:** Of course. For the first time in history, a hydroelectric plant applied for a Guinness record. To achieve this, we had to provide extensive evidence and documentation to validate our energy production metrics. The closing date for this measurement was October 30, and we had two independent specialist witnesses verify all the information. This rigorous process ensures the accuracy and credibility of our achievement.
**Editor:** It’s fascinating to hear about the validation process. How do you see this record impacting future projects or initiatives at Itaipú?
**Zacarías:** This recognition will certainly motivate us to continue our efforts in modernizing and optimizing our operations. As you know, General Electric recently announced plans to begin modernization work at Itaipú. This record will serve as an inspiration for our team and a reminder of the importance of sustainable energy practices, not only for our region but as a model globally.
**Editor:** Speaking of modernization, what specific advancements can we expect in the near future for the dam?
**Zacarías:** The planned modernization will focus on improving efficiency and integrating new technologies that enhance our capacity to produce and deliver energy. This includes upgrades to our turbines and control systems, which will not only increase output but also reduce environmental impact. Our goal is to ensure that Itaipú remains a leader in hydroelectric power for many years to come.
**Editor:** Thank you, Mr. Zacarías, for sharing these insights. It seems that Itaipú is not only a powerhouse in terms of energy production but also a beacon of collaboration and innovation.
**Zacarías:** Thank you for having me. I am proud of what we have achieved together, and I look forward to many more successes at Itaipú as we strive for a sustainable future.
