July 23, 2002 |
July 23, 2002 |
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Today's ECHO activities brought to you by
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Today ECHO 2002 participants visited
the Itaipú Dam located on the Paraná River which runs along
the border between Paraguay and Brazil. The world's largest hydroelectric
dam, a product of the 1973 Itaipú Treaty, was operational in 1991.
The treaty avoided a confrontation over water rights between the two countries
who now share the electricity produced. Nine turbines belong to Paraguay
and nine to Brazil. Two more will be operational by 2004. Together the
turbines produce 12.6 megawatts of electricity. The treaty stipulates
that unused power by either country must first be offered for sale to
the other country. Paraguay uses the power generated by one turbine and
the excess power sold to Brazil is 40% of Paraguay's national budget.
When the construction debt is paid in 2023, Paraguay's revenue will exceed
100% of the country's current national budget.
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The bus stopped at the wild animal
research center, part of Itaipú Binacional. We walked through a
zoological park with many species of animals and birds that were rescued
when the reservoir water flooded the jungle/forest. Many animals were
released into refuges near the reservoir area. Most of the animals at
the work station are for breeding of endangered species.
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 Jagua Vvyguy -- Guarani for dog that lives beneath the earth (once thought to be extinct) |
 Tortuga (tortoise) |
 Pecari (peccary) |
