Paraguay faces potential energy shortages by 2028

Paraguay's electrical generation capacity has remained stagnant at 8,000 MW for the past 50 years, creating a critical challenge as demand grows due to new industrial investments. Eduardo Viedma, president of the Paraguayan Association of Renewable Energies (Aper) and former board member of Itaipú Binacional, warns that without the urgent incorporation of new generation sources, such as distributed energy, the country could face scheduled power outages of two to three hours during summer peak consumption periods by 2028.

The growing industrial sector is a primary driver of this demand, as many new companies are electro-intensive, requiring constant, high-power energy consumption 24/7. Unlike residential or commercial sectors, these industries do not have variable consumption patterns.

Additionally, the country's reliance on hydroelectric power introduces vulnerability to environmental factors. Viedma noted that generation depends on river flows, which can lead to operational challenges during severe droughts, such as the one experienced at Itaipú in 2021, or during periods of extreme water abundance caused by phenomena like El Niño.