Itaipu opens spillway gates to release water for safety

The scheduled opening of the spillway gates occurred to prevent possible reservoir overflow. According to Binacional, the situation resulted from two main factors: heavy rainfall in the upstream power plants and the absence of demand for increased energy production in the electrical systems of Paraguay and Brazil.

With the reservoir at very low storage capacity, all water volume entering above capacity must exit immediately. Since the systems do not require greater generation at this time, water cannot be channeled through the turbines to produce more electricity. Thus, letting it flow through the spillway is the only safe alternative.

Binacional guaranteed that energy supply to both countries remains fully assured.

Source: La Nación