Itaipus

Itaipus is a term that can refer to several entities associated with the Itaipu region along the Paraná River on the Brazil–Paraguay border. The most prominent reference is Itaipu Dam, a large hydroelectric dam that straddles the river between Brazil and Paraguay. It began operation in 1984 and, with an installed capacity of about 14,000 megawatts, is one of the world’s largest hydroelectric plants. The dam creates a substantial reservoir known as Itaipu Lake, which extends into both countries and affects local ecosystems and water management.

The project is operated by Itaipu Binacional, a binational organization jointly owned by Brazil and Paraguay. The agency is responsible for the dam’s operation, electricity production, and cross-border energy trade, as well as related water resource management and environmental oversight. The collaboration exemplifies long-standing energy and infrastructure cooperation between the two nations.

Beyond the dam itself, Itaipu can informally refer to the surrounding reservoir area or nearby facilities bearing the same name, including institutions and infrastructure connected to the energy project. In practice, however, Itaipu is most often used in reference to the dam and its associated structures rather than a single, distinct geographic town or site.

Because Itaipus is not a standardized term in English-language sources, readers seeking precise information should specify the intended reference, such as Itaipu Dam or Itaipu Binacional, to avoid ambiguity.