HVDC > HVDC References > South America > Itaipu
World's largest HVDC transmission - two major ABB HVDC links that supply São Paulo.
The Itaipu HVDC Transmission Project in Brazil, owned by Furnas Centrais Elétricas in Rio de Janeiro (an Elétrobras company), is by far the most impressive HVDC transmission in the world. It has a total rated power of 6300 MW and a world record voltage of ±600 kV DC. The Itaipu HVDC transmission consists of two bipolar HVDC transmission lines bringing power generated at 50 Hz in the 12 600 MW Itaipu hydropower plant, owned bu Itaipu Binacional, to the 60 Hz network in São Paulo, in the industrial centre of Brazil.
Itaipu 12 600 MW hydropower station | 
Foz do Iguaçu converter station |
Inside one of the valve halls | 
Ibiuna converter station |
Power transmission started on bipole 1 in October 1984 with 300 kV and in July 1985 with 600 kV, and on bipole 2 in July 1987. The converter stations were commissioned stepwise in order to match the generating capacity built up at the Itaipu hydropower plant.
HVDC was chosen basically for two reasons: partly to be able to supply power from the 50 Hz generators to the 60 Hz system, and partly because an HVDC link was economically preferable for the long distance involved.
The converter stations Foz do Iguaçu and Ibiuna represent a considerable step forward in HVDC technology. The two stations are unique in their combination of size and advanced technology.
2004 Press releases:
(2004 marks the 20th year since the first stage of the Itaipu HVDC tranmission was commissioned.)
Itaipu: the singing stone with a powerful song
and
Visitors experience 20 years of ABB pioneering spirit at Itaipu, Brazil .
| Main data |  |
| Commissioning year: | 1984 -1987 |
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| Power rating: | 6 300 MW |
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| No. of poles: | 4 |
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| AC voltage: | 500 kV (Foz do Iguaçu), 245 kV (Ibiuna) |
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| DC voltage: | ±600 kV |
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| Length of overhead DC line: | 785 km + 805 km |
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| Main reason for choosing HVDC: | Long distance, 50/60 Hz conversion |
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