The project consists of two ±600 kV bipoles, each with a rated power of 3150 MW, which transmit power generated at 50 Hz from the Paraguay side of the Itaipu Dam (near Foz do Iguaçu in Paraná) to the Ibiúna converter station near São Roque, São Paulo.

The lines are 4 x 689 mm2 (about 30 mm ∅) ACSR[3] The incoming supply is 500 kV AC from the 50 Hz generators at the hydro dam (Foz do Iguaçu).

The converter equipment, supplied by ABB Group, uses thyristor valves arranged in two, twelve-pulse bridges per pole.

In parallel with the HVDC system, two 765 kV AC lines carry power from the 60 Hz generators on the Brazilian side of the dam to the São Paulo region.

Similar incidents on the Rihand–Delhi project in 1990 and the Sylmar Converter Station of the Pacific DC Intertie scheme in 1993 led to CIGRÉ publishing guidelines on the design of thyristor valves in order to reduce fire risks.