• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Time Travel Turtle

A travel blog with stories beyond the brochure

  • HOME
  • ABOUT ME
  • CONTACT ME
  • BY COUNTRY
    • WEST EUROPE
      • Belgium
      • England
      • France
      • Germany
      • Ireland
      • Liechtenstein
      • Luxembourg
      • Netherlands
      • Northern Ireland
      • Scotland
      • Switzerland
      • Wales
    • NORTH EUROPE
      • Estonia
      • Finland
      • Latvia
      • Lithuania
      • Norway
      • Sweden
    • SOUTH EUROPE
      • Cyprus
      • Gibraltar
      • Greece
      • Holy See
      • Italy
      • Malta
      • Portugal
      • San Marino
      • Spain
    • EAST EUROPE
      • Austria
      • Belarus
      • Croatia
      • Czech Republic
      • Hungary
      • Montenegro
      • Poland
      • Serbia
    • NORTH ASIA
      • China
      • Japan
      • Kazakhstan
      • Kyrgyzstan
      • Mongolia
      • North Korea
      • Tajikistan
      • Uzbekistan
    • SOUTH ASIA
      • Cambodia
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Myanmar
      • Malaysia
      • Nepal
      • Philippines
      • Singapore
      • Sri Lanka
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • NORTH AMERICA
      • Antigua & Barbuda
      • Belize
      • Canada
      • Costa Rica
      • Guatemala
      • Mexico
      • USA
    • SOUTH AMERICA
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Paraguay
      • Peru
      • Uruguay
    • AFRICA
      • Egypt
      • Morocco
      • Namibia
      • South Africa
    • OCEANIA
      • Australia
      • New Zealand
    • MIDDLE EAST
      • Jordan
      • Turkey
  • MOST POPULAR
    • The world’s oldest backpacker
    • Orangutans in Borneo
    • The need for speed
    • Trying to get out of the slum
    • The lake swamped with tourism
    • Journey into Dreamland
    • The village where life begins again
    • Is Cambodia safe for travellers?
    • Making the perfect gin and tonic
  • UNESCO

That’s dam big!

March 31, 2019 | Michael Turtle | 7 Comments

ENGINEERING WONDER

Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam Paraguay

When you think of Paraguay (which, admittedly, doesn’t happen often), you don’t necessarily think of engineering wonders of the twentieth century. But there, tucked away in the east of the country, is a marvel to rival some of the most famous constructions in the world.

It is, though, as controversial as it is magnificent.

Itaipu Dam – the world’s second largest hydroelectric project. Just the name is a source of pride for the Paraguayans.

The enormous construction stretches across the Parana River to Brazil and is shared by the two countries. But it’s Paraguay that gets the most from it, both economically and in patriotic satisfaction.

visiting itaipu dam in paraguay, the biggest dam in the world

About 80 per cent of Paraguay’s energy supply comes from the dam. It is quite literally the country’s source of light.

In a nation as poor as this one, it is seen as an accomplishment that has been unparalleled since it was opened in 1984.

There are so many people here who will never visit it and will never see it, but they know that it keeps their towns and villages with constant power.

It’s a shame that they will never lay eyes on Itaipu Dam for it’s a site to behold.

Even without understanding the details of the production of hydroelectricity, it is clear that it is a mighty construction. There’s a reason it’s been officially declared one of the seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World.

visiting itaipu dam in paraguay, the biggest dam in the world

visiting itaipu dam in paraguay, the biggest dam in the world

One of the world’s biggest hydroelectric dams

From a distant viewing platform, you can see the concrete wall spanning the space between the two countries, tall and broad, with a silent strength that holds back the force of the river.

On the bus tour that the dam runs for visitors, you get much closer, and you can really appreciate the size and the amount of work that must have gone into its construction.

As you drive along the top of its wall, you see the water just metres away on one side and, on the other, the massive drop down to the trickle that is allowed out through the sluice gates.

visiting itaipu dam in paraguay, the biggest dam in the world

Itaipu Dam has come at a cost, though. And not just a monetary one. My trusty Lonely Planet guidebook puts it best when it describes the propaganda about the site.

“It omits the US$25 billion price tag (mostly from over-invoicing) and avoids mention of environmental consequences”, it reads.

“The 1350-sq-km, 220m deep reservoir drowned Sete Quedas, a set of waterfalls that was more impressive than Iguazu.”

visiting itaipu dam in paraguay, the biggest dam in the world

It’s hard to imagine waterfalls more impressive than Iguazu Falls.

It’s sad to hear that another potential natural wonder of the world has been destroyed for man’s progress.

Progress, though, is undeniable and Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam is a wonder in itself. Until China built its Three Gorges Dam, this was the largest and most remarkable human accomplishment of its type in the world.

That’s something that Paraguay has every right to be proud of.

The nitty gritty travel detailsI got the bus to Itaipu Dam from Ciudad del Este. Get on one heading to Hernandarias at the bus terminal at Avenida Adrian Jara and Mariscal JF Estigarribia. Ask the driver to let you off at Itaipu and you’ll see the entrance a couple of hundred metres down in the fork in the highway. There are about five bus tours each day (only in the morning on Sunday). The tour is free but you’ll need to show your passport for identification.

>> You can read my free Paraguay Travel Guide here! <<

Reader Interactions

    Comments Cancel reply

  1. Dayna |

    February 2, 2012 at 8:33 pm

    Reply

    I had definitely never heard of it! I know it’s a smaller country, but the fact that 80% of its power is generated at this one dam is still incredible!

    • Turtle |

      February 3, 2012 at 6:04 am

      Reply

      Yeah, that 80 per cent is an amazing figure! Having said that, Paraguay’s main industry seems to be cattle, which don’t need much energy. But still!

  2. D.J. - The World of Deej |

    February 3, 2012 at 9:53 am

    Reply

    You’re right, I don’t think of Paraguay often…if ever. But I did thanks to you…quite a feat of engineering…

    • Turtle |

      February 5, 2012 at 8:28 am

      Reply

      Perhaps we should all think about Paraguay more often. Or maybe this is just enough 🙂

  3. Rachel |

    February 9, 2012 at 10:03 pm

    Reply

    80% power from one dam? Thats impressive.
    Fantastic piece of engineering – just a shame they come at such a cost to the environment.

    • Turtle |

      February 10, 2012 at 1:26 am

      Reply

      Yeah, it’s really impressive. And apparently it also supplies a heap of power to Brazil as well.

  4. agenboladepositbca24jam.com |

    September 21, 2016 at 1:50 am

    Reply

    What’ѕ ᥙр, juet աanted to ѕay, I enjoyed tɦis article.
    Іt was practical. Keep on posting!

Primary Sidebar

This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.

Want Occasional Updates?

Sign up to be the first to hear the latest about the adventures of Time Travel Turtle. You'll also get access to special offers and exclusive news.
Thank you! You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter.

Search

  • PRIVACY POLICY