Electricity consumption in Paraguay grew 18.2% in the first seven months of 2026, straining the system and leading ANDE to accelerate infrastructure projects, while the new Puerto Esperanza power plant marks the beginning of solar energy integration into the national grid.
Entidad Binacional Yacyretá
Yacyretá is a binational hydropower dam shared by Paraguay and Argentina. It matters for energy, infrastructure, compensation disputes, and relations between the two countries.
The union of ANDE workers accuses the Paraguayan government of hiding an offer from the company Imperium to buy energy at $70 per MW, more than double the amount negotiated with the company Atome.
The campaign of Asunción mayoral candidate Camilo Pérez, which celebrates its team unity, includes public officials such as a deputy minister and a former presidential social media operator in its WhatsApp group for the press, raising questions about the use of state resources.
Experts warn that Paraguay faces an imminent energy crisis by 2030 due to lack of new investments and growing demand, while a binational plant project with Argentina, Corpus Christi, is reintroduced as a potential solution.
Paraguay's electricity demand grew by 18.3% in the first half of 2026, with supply being led by the Itaipú, Yacyretá, and Acaray hydroelectric plants, while the state-owned utility ANDE reinforces its commitment to infrastructure projects for a more reliable service.
The government of Santiago Peña used funds from Itaipú and Yacyretá to finance an advertising campaign in allied media outlets during the World Cup, according to a complaint by Senator Yolanda Paredes.
President Santiago Peña publicly expressed his support for Vice President Pedro Alliana for the 2028 elections during an inspection of the expansion works at the Yacyretá hydroelectric plant. Meanwhile, the president of the PLRA, Alcides Riveros, announced that the party will cut off financial transfers to allies from a third political force in the municipal elections, allocating resources only to liberal candidates.
Encarnación merchants hold a monthly discount fair to boost sales during the low season, caused by the end of the high season and the economic crisis in Argentina.
The border crossing between Ayolas, Paraguay, and Ituzaingó, Argentina, will be temporarily closed for maintenance at the Yacyretá Hydroelectric Plant.
Indert transferred a three-hectare plot of land to the Ñeembucú Governorship for the construction of a recreational complex in Pilar, with an investment of US$5 million.
Former director of the Entidad Binacional Yacyretá, Nicanor Duarte Frutos, warned that Paraguay could consume all of its available energy in about 10 years and called for investment in new energy projects and the strengthening of the national industry.
The Yacyretá Binational Entity (EBY) refused to disclose the results of audits conducted by the firms Audicon and Ayca in 2023, as well as internal and external audits, citing legal constraints arising from the special regime governing the entity. Paraguayan lawyer Federico Legal, who requested the information through a public access to information request, described the refusal as arbitrary and stated that those responsible may face penalties under Paraguayan law.
The Minister of Industry and Commerce, Marco Riquelme, and representatives of the Yacyretá Binational Entity met with local authorities in Ayolas to assess the installation of new industrial parks, aiming to align the necessary infrastructure and leverage the energy surplus to attract investments.
Transfers from Itaipu and Yacyretá fell 23.5% from January to April 2026, totaling US$143.5 million, reflecting lower royalties, energy compensation, and energy cession.
On the morning of May 22, two Paraguayan buses carrying 106 Cerro Porteño fans returning from São Paulo lost their brakes and collided with light vehicles on BR-277 near the Friendship Bridge. The drivers were taken to Foz do Iguaçu Municipal Hospital with minor injuries; all passengers disembarked without serious injuries.
President Santiago Peña inaugurated a new oncology block at the Regional Hospital of Caazapá and pledged to decentralize public health, but the promise contrasts with ongoing drug shortages and poor infrastructure.