The Yacyreta dam is a hydroelectric plant (that is still being built) between Paraguay and Argentina. It is on the Parana River and next to the Paraguayan city of Ayolas and the Argentinian city of Ituzaingó.
Composed of 20 turbines, the dam is 808 metres long. It has a power of 4,050 MW that can produce 19,080 GWh per year.
Often called a "monument to corruption," the dam project was established by the Argentinian Peronist government in 1973. Dictator Alfredo Stroessner was in power in Paraguay at that time.
After ten years of being stalled, construction started in 1983. The project has cost around $10 billion when it was expected to cost around $2.6 billion. The World Bank (which provided loans for the project) estimates that the Yacyreta dam could, up to date, be a loss of $11 billion. The dam started generating energy in 1994 and parts were still being finished in 2008.
The construction and flooding caused by the dam have affected tens of thousands of people in the surrounding areas. The Yacyreta dam has also affected the surrounding wildlife. Sadly through all of this the dam is still not functioning at full capacity because water levels are not high enough. The artificial raise of water levels has affected even more people.
The dam powers about 20 percent of Argentina and Paraguay sells its surplus energy to Brazil (at very low prices).
More Sources:
Article on Yacyreta and the World Bank
Article on Yacyreta, Corruption and the World Bank
Yacyreta Binacional in Bussiness News Americas
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