Brasília, 5/5/2004 (Agência Brasil) - Next year, as part of its celebrations of its 30th birthday, the Itaipu binational hydroelectric power plant will increase its generating power from 12,600 MW to 14,000 MW, with the installation of two more turbines. According to the plant technical director, Antonio Otelo Cardoso, the new turbines are mostly for safety purposes. "We will not have a big increase in generation. They are mainly to be used when we shut down other turbines," he explained.

Located on the border between Brazil and Paraguay, on the Paraná River, Itaipu is the world's biggest hydroelectric power plant. The plant is managed jointly by Brazil and Paraguay. It provides Brazil with 25% of its electricity and 95% of the electricity Paraguay needs.

The electricity from Itaipu goes to Brazil's most important urban centers. "This is electricity that moves around 60% of the country's GDP," says Jorge Samek, the Brazilian director general. He adds that the company has developed power plant technology that can be used in universities and other power plants, and even sold abroad.

Translator: Allen Bennett