Small Hydropower Plants in Generation in the Rural Area of the West and Southwest of Paraná State-Brazil

Hydropower generation is the main source of electric energy in Brazil and the West and Southwest of Paraná. Year after year the energy matrix has been diversifying, including new sources, such as wind power. However, due to the power accumulation characteristic of hydropower, this type of source is important for the stability of the electric system. Currently, hydropower corresponds to just over 60% of all power installed in Brazil. Particularly in the West and Southwest region of Paraná, this number increases, and Paraná’s share in the Brazilian matrix is approximately 16% of the installed potential. This compromises the productive areas of these regions by the flood generated by the plants. In order to verify the participation of these regions in the hydropower matrix and its production, a survey was made of the installed potential and the constructive profile of the hydroenergy projects. In addition, the flow and production trend of the Salto Santiago hydropower in the Iguaçu River watershed and the Melissa hydropower in the Piquiri River watershed were verified during the period from 2003 to 2017. Finally, a conceptual map of the western and southwestern regions of Paraná was elaborated with the hydropower generation profile. It was concluded by the survey that the regions of the study have great participation in the hydropower matrix of Brazil and that its production and the flow of the rivers in the entrance of these remains practically unchanged in the studied period.