'We don't have water': South American dam faces energy crunch as river ebbs

FILE PHOTO: A view of the Itaipu Hydroelectric dam from the Paraguayan side, one the world's largest operational electricity generator which is facing an energy crunch as low river levels hit electricity production, in Hernandarias, Paraguay October 11, 2021. Picture taken October 11, 2021. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo

HERNANDARIAS, Paraguay (Reuters) - The giant Itaipu hydroelectric power plant, wedged between Paraguay and Brazil on the Parana River, is facing an energy crunch amid record low river and rainfall levels that experts say could last into next year.

The Itaipu dam, which supplies around 10% of the energy consumed in Brazil and 86% of that used in landlocked Paraguay, has recorded its lowest output since the hydroelectric plant began operating at full capacity in 2005.