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Itaipu (Portuguese: Itaipu; SAMPA [itaj'pu]) is a dam that includes the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world. It is situated along the Paraná River and produces 25% of the power of Brazil and 90% of Paraguay's. The plant is capable of producing 12,600 MW (megawatts) of power, with 18 generator units of 700 MW each. The first generators started running in May 1984 and the final generator came online on April 9, 1991. It will be surpassed only by China's Three Gorges Dam (in generating capacity, but not annual electrical production). Itaipu is the largest power plant but not among the largest dams in the world.
Two more generator units are being built, hence yielding when concluded (first half of 2005) an installed power of 14,000 megawatts.
It has been declared one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
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