Binational hydropower operator Itaipu has presented a study examining the integration of 100 MW to 1,000 MW of solar photovoltaic capacity into Paraguay’s electricity system to meet rising demand and improve grid stability.
The research, titled “Use of photovoltaic generation to meet Paraguayan electricity demand and dampen inter-area electromechanical oscillations,” was recently presented by Manuel Sosa Ríos, an engineer in Itaipu’s Technical Directorate, at the Cigre Energy Forum 2026 in Calgary, Canada.
The study draws on forecasts of rising electricity consumption in Paraguay. The country currently has 8,800 MW of hydropower capacity, comprising Itaipu’s 7,000 MW 50 Hz system, Yacyretá’s 1,600 MW and Acaray’s 200 MW. According to planning studies cited by the researcher, this capacity could become insufficient around 2029.
Solar photovoltaic generation is among the alternatives considered, with Paraguay recording average annual daily global horizontal irradiation of 5.08 kWh/m².
Grid oscillations
The research also examines stability issues associated with Paraguay’s electrical interconnection with Argentina, which has operated under the current configuration since December 2022. The system experiences inter-area electromechanical oscillations at frequencies of 0.33 Hz to 0.41 Hz.
Itaipu’s power system stabilizer (PSS) is currently the main mechanism used to dampen these oscillations, but its response can be limited under certain low-frequency conditions.
To assess potential solutions, the researchers incorporated a power oscillation damping (POD) controller into photovoltaic plant models, tuning it using the damped Nyquist method. Simulations examined three connection points: the 500 kV Villa Hayes substation, the 220 kV Villa Hayes substation and the 220 kV Acaray substation. The locations were selected for their ability to observe inter-area oscillations.
In a scenario with Itaipu’s PSS out of service, the model showed an unstable 0.4 Hz inter-area mode with negative damping of 4.96%. Adding photovoltaic generation equipped with the POD controller stabilized the modeled electricity system at all three connection points.
The researchers concluded that controlled solar generation could complement the damping function currently provided by Itaipu.
The study also recommends installing battery energy storage systems (BESS) alongside photovoltaic plants to maintain an appropriate response during transient events and reduce the effects of changes in solar irradiance.
The research used generic solar plant models implemented in the Anatem power system simulation program. The authors propose evaluating additional connection locations and control signals in subsequent work.
The study was presented to Study Committee C4 of the International Council on Large Electric Systems (Cigre), which focuses on the technical performance of power systems.
From pv magazine LatAm
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