Why did they build the itaipu dam?

Answer 1

Itaipu Binacional's power plant construction solved a diplomatic impasse involving Brazil and Paraguay. The two countries disputed the ownership of lands in the area denominated of the Seven Falls. This area is today covered by the lake of the power plant dam. The contentious began in the century XVIII. The dispute for the Seven Falls worsened in the years 1960. The discovery of Rio Paraná's hydroelectric potential put Brazil and Paraguay again in collision route. But, instead of measuring forces, the two governments made a wise person option: to unite forces. The year of the signature of the Treaty of Itaipu, 1973, it coincides with the appearance of the world crisis provoked by the increase of the price of the petroleum (If Brazil were to use Thermal Power Generation to produce the electric power of Itaipu, 434 thousand barrels of petroleum would have to be burned every day). So, the world intensifies the exploration of renewable sources of energy as form of assuring the development for Brazil and Paraguay. Itaipu Binacional is a mark for the electric section of the two countries. Before, the Paraguayans disposed of just a hydroelectric power station of small load, Icaray. The Brazilians consolidate the option for the energy produced through the use of the force of the rivers. The plant practically folds the capacity of Brazil to generate energy. The installed potency, that it was of 16.7 thousand megawatts, it starts to count more 14 thousand megawatts. The enterprise is the third party along Rio Paraná in Brazilian territory, and the first in Paraguayan waters.

Answer 2

The Itaipu dam was built so as to provide electricity for Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. It was also meant to control the Parana River from over flooding.