Foz do Areia Hydroelectric Plant Begins Preventive Operation to Ensure Safety Amidst High Rainfall in the Iguaçu River Basin.
Copel (Companhia Paranaense de Energia) is implementing proactive safety measures at the Governador Bento Munhoz da Rocha Netto Hydroelectric Plant, commonly known as Foz do Areia, located in Pinhão (PR).
The action aims to prepare the system for the scenario of intense rainfall that has been recorded in the Iguaçu River watershed, with the objective of avoiding disruptions and ensuring the integrity of the plant and downstream communities.
The plant’s reservoir, currently at 88% of its total capacity, is undergoing a controlled drawdown process.
This operational strategy creates an additional safety margin, preparing the reservoir to receive even larger volumes of water, as meteorological forecasts indicate continued precipitation in the region.
Strategic Flow Operation
To handle the expectation of an average inflow of approximately 2.75 million liters per second in the coming days, Copel plans to release a slightly higher volume, around 3 million liters per second.
This combined discharge includes the water used for electricity generation and the water released through the spillway.
Currently, Foz do Areia operates on a run-of-river basis, meaning that water entering the reservoir is released almost immediately downstream.
The decision to maintain an outflow rate higher than the anticipated inflow is a proactive measure to decrease the storage level before new, heavier rains significantly increase the amount of water reaching the plant.
Continuous Monitoring and Coordination
Copel’s technical teams responsible for hydraulic management are closely monitoring the situation, in constant coordination with the National Electric System Operator (ONS).
This collaboration is crucial to ensure the plant’s operation aligns with the needs of the national electricity system and the region’s hydrological conditions.
Proactive management of reservoir levels is essential, especially considering the dynamics of the Iguaçu River basin, where floods tend to develop gradually and recede more slowly.
By adjusting operations before rainfall intensifies, Copel minimizes the need for emergency actions and reduces pressure on the system. The company maintains open communication with Civil Defense agencies and other entities to closely track hydrological conditions.
The Foz do Areia Plant is a vital component of Copel’s generation park and the National Interconnected System (SIN).
At this moment, the priority is efficient flow management and maintaining hydraulic safety, ensuring energy supply and environmental and social protection. Data on the monitoring of rivers and reservoirs operated by Copel are available on the company’s official platform.
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