Asunción, Agencia IP.- This Monday, from 10:00 am, Paraguay started the totality of energy withdrawal that corresponded to what Yacyretá Hydroelectric produces. This action increases this entity’s participation in the national supply, and the energy transferred to Argentina decreases.
The measure responds to a political and strategic decision following the indications of the Executive Branch, said the President of ANDE, Félix Sosa. With the said measure, a more significant surplus of energy in Itaipú is why a meeting between the President of ANDE, the directors of both hydroelectric and the President of the Republic in office, Pedro Alliana, will be made.
Until now, ANDE has increased the withdrawal of energy from the Yacyretá Binational Entity (EBY) during peak hours, and the participation varied between 75% and 90%. Starting this Monday, the withdrawal will be 100% for local supply, he said.
Regarding economic aspects, the President of ANDE said that they will maintain a dialogue at the Board of Directors of Binational Itaipú to define the energy contracts required for next year. Within Yacyretá, it remains to determine “what the real rate is” and recall that the conditions and supply from Itaipú are more predictable. With the increase in energy withdrawal, it is guaranteed more income from ANDE to Yacyretá, which is currently facing a compromised financial situation.
Situation of Yacyretá
The Binacional Entity Yacyretá holds debts from the Argentinian side that are not recognized by it. The President in office, Pedro Alliana, explained that these are US$ 93 million for transferred energy and a difference of US$ 40 million, given that Argentina decreased its contribution to the EBY (from US$ 18 to US$ 10 million) in recent months.
The decision that took place responded to a defence of Paraguay’s interests. “We are transferring energy to a country that is not paying what corresponds. Today, we want the commitments with Yacyretá to be fulfilled, and we also consider what is the most convenient for ANDE”, stated Alliana.
Lastly, he said there are debts from the previous administration to Yacyretá: US$ 48 million with a financial entity and another US$ 20 million to suppliers.