Itaipu allocates over R$ 100 million for renewable energy in universities.

Resources will finance solar power plants totaling 16,5 MW of panels, equivalent to an area of ​​eight football fields. Itaipu Binacional announced an investment of nearly R$ 102 million for the implementation of various renewable energy projects in public higher education and technical institutions in Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul.

The funds will be used to install photovoltaic systems, modernize electrical infrastructure, and structure research laboratories across 91 university and technical campuses, with the expectation of generating annual savings of approximately R$ 10 million in energy bills for these institutions.

The investments are part of the IPES/2025 call for proposals, created to stimulate the development of public educational institutions through energy transition and the expansion of academic and scientific infrastructure.

Among other initiatives, the program foresees the installation of 16,5 MW of photovoltaic solar panels distributed among the beneficiary units. According to Itaipu, the modules would occupy, together, an area equivalent to approximately eight football fields.

Solar energy

Of the total amount announced by the binational company, approximately R$ 53,8 million will be directly allocated to the implementation of photovoltaic generation systems on the campuses. Another R$ 22,8 million will be applied to improvements in the electrical infrastructure of the institutions and the integration of the new systems with existing networks.

In addition, R$ 25,3 million will be allocated to the acquisition of equipment for 39 university research laboratories related to the energy sector.

The project aims not only to reduce the operational expenses of educational institutions, but also to expand research and innovation capacity in areas related to energy transition, energy storage, and sustainability.

According to the Brazilian director-general of Itaipu, Enio Verri, the investment should have a direct impact on the quality of public higher education.

Business

The expectation is that the reduction in electricity expenses will allow institutions to redirect resources to other priority areas, such as student assistance, academic expansion, and research.

The rector of UEPG (State University of Ponta Grossa), Miguel Sanches Neto, stated that the implementation of photovoltaic plants was a long-standing demand of public educational institutions.

According to him, in the case of UEPG, the savings obtained from the energy bill should be reinvested in student retention policies. Another important aspect of the program is the strengthening of scientific research.

Approximately 25% of the total resources from this call for proposals will be allocated to the creation and modernization of laboratories focused on technological development in renewable energy and energy storage.

Resources

Of the total of nearly R$102 million, approximately R$82 million will be allocated to projects in 39 municipalities in Paraná, while R$20 million will be invested in eight municipalities in Mato Grosso do Sul.

According to Itaipu, R$ 63,5 million will be allocated to federal universities and R$ 38,5 million to state institutions and one municipal university.

The management and oversight of the resources will be the responsibility of Caixa Econômica Federal, Itaipu Binacional's partner in calls for proposals aimed at supporting municipalities and public entities.

With the signing of the action plans by the binational entity, the institutions can now begin the bidding processes for contracting services and implementing the solar systems.

Institutions included

The resources allocated by Itaipu Binacional to promote renewable energy will be distributed among 15 public higher education and technical institutions in Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul.

• UFPR (Federal University of Paraná) – R $ million 22,4;
• uniwest (State University of Western Paraná) – R $ million 15,1;
• UFGD (Federal University of Grande Dourados) – R $ million 10,6;
• UEPG (State University of Ponta Grossa) – R $ million 10;
• UTFPR (Federal Technological University of Paraná) – R $ million 9,4
• IFPR (Federal Institute of Paraná) – R $ million 8,1.
• UEMS (State University of Mato Grosso do Sul) – R$ 5,2 million;
• Unila (Federal University for Latin American Integration) – R $ million 4,7;
• unicentro (State University of the Midwest) – R$ 4,4 million; 
• UFFS (Federal University of the Southern Border) – R$ 3,9 million; 
• UFMS (Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul) – R$ 2 million; 
• IFMS (Federal Institute of Mato Grosso do Sul) – R$ 2 million; 
• UEL (State University of Londrina) – R$ 1,8 million; 
• unespar (State University of Paraná) – R$ 1,6 million,
• Fafiman (Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Mandaguari) – R $ 177,6 thousand.

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