Paraguay now produces 100% renewable electric energy

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – “This is an unprecedented historic event,” Abdo Benítez said during the inauguration ceremony. He also said that the inclusion of Bahía Negra into the basic service comes after “years of negligence, lack of vision and investment in the electricity system.”

The head of state highlighted that with the electrification of the city of Bahía Negra, Paraguay becomes the region’s first country to have 100% renewable electricity supply. “It is a true milestone for our country,” the president said.

He also said that Paraguay must invest some US$1 billion annually in the electricity system to withdraw 100% energy produced by hydroelectric power plants.

“We cannot withdraw it for lack of vision and commitment,” he stressed. The president also pointed out that many talk about energy sovereignty, including his predecessors, but fail to implement measures to achieve it.

Finally, the president added that the Yguazú substation is currently under construction, among other related works, to enable the withdrawal of 100% of Itaipú’s energy, as is now the case in Yacyretá.

Alto Paraguay governor José Domingo Adorno stressed that this achievement will contribute to the development of the area. “It is a historic day for us, it was a dream long awaited by us all, to have clean and renewable energy,” he said.

Itaipu board member Gerardo Blanco said that Paraguay is moving towards the achievement of a historic triple 100%.

He said that Paraguay will have the first 100% renewable generation park; the capacity to have 100% access to the power generated by hydroelectric plants, and 100% energy coverage.

“Today we reached the first 100%. The disconnection of the Bahía Negra Thermal Power Plant, which will now be supplied with national hydroelectricity,” he wrote on Twitter.

More: Latin America news in English, every day from The Rio Times.