itaipu ·
Itaipu opens spillway to control reservoir level
Marco Três newsroom · edited by Annie Grellmann
Left gate released on Sunday to regulate the 220.30‑meter water level
Itaipu Binacional opened the spillway of the hydroelectric plant located on the Brazil‑Paraguay border on Sunday at 7:30 a.m. to control the reservoir level that reached 220.30 meters, close to the operational maximum of 220.40 meters. The opening was scheduled and involved only the left gate, with a flow of approximately 1,450 cubic meters per second.
The rise in the reservoir level resulted from rainfall recorded in the upstream power stations. According to the binational entity, the conditions of the electrical systems interconnected with the plant prevented level regulation by increasing power generation.
The gate will remain open until system conditions allow the reservoir level to be controlled by increasing the plant's output, while maintaining the operational safety of the facility. Itaipu reaffirmed that it continues to fully supply the energy demand of Paraguay and Brazil.
The entity highlighted that the plant is a "run‑of‑the‑river" type, characterized by having a reservoir with low storage capacity. The last spill to control the reservoir level occurred on November 23, 2025.
Official data: the left spillway chute was opened, with a flow of about 1,450 m³/s, and the reservoir at 220.30 m (the maximum operational level is 220.40 m). This was the first spillway opening in 2026 — the previous one was on November 23, 2025.
Source: La Nación
Frequently asked questions
- What is the maximum operational level of the reservoir?
- 220.40 meters.
- When was the last spill before this one?
- On November 23, 2025.
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