Renewable energy generation cuts (known as curtailment) totaled 378 MWh in Brazil between March 22 and 28, reveals a survey published by the consulting firm Volt Robotics.
This volume is equivalent to the annual consumption of approximately 180 to 200 Brazilian households, considering a monthly average of 150 to 200 kWh per unit, according to estimates by EPE (Energy Research Company).
During the period analyzed, the economic impact was significant: losses associated with the PLD (Price of Settlement of Differences) totaled approximately R$ 23,7 million, while losses related to energy contracts reached R$ 57,3 million.
The report highlights that March 28th saw the highest volume of power cuts during the week, with 109,8 MWh of limited generation. Geographically, the states of São Paulo, Ceará, and Minas Gerais were the most impacted.
One of the main factors identified was the so-called ENE (energy cut), which occurs when generation exceeds the capacity of the transmission network. This type of restriction accounted for 349,7 MWh. That is, 92% of the total curtailment volume recorded in the week.
In practice, this means that most of the outages during the week were not due to isolated operational failures, but to structural limitations in the system, especially in its capacity to transport the generated energy to consumption centers.
Solution pressure
Given the recurring increase in power outages, the sector is eagerly awaiting the regulation of the compensation mechanism for affected generators, as foreseen in recent legislation.
A ANEEL The Brazilian National Electric Energy Agency (Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica) has already opened Public Consultation No. 012/2026 to define the criteria for calculating and operationalizing these compensations.
Among the main points under discussion is the method for valuing the compensation. That is, whether the amounts will be calculated based on the PLD (Price of Energy in the Spot Market), the prices of contracts signed by generators, or an intermediate regulated value.
Another sensitive issue is the source of the funds that will finance the payments. Legislation stipulates that the costs can be covered by the ESS (System Services Charge) or by a specific account shared among consumers, but there are concerns about the tariff impacts of this measure.
Risk sharing
A ANEEL It also evaluates the adoption of a location-based signal, which may imply a partial division of risk between generators and the system. In this model, projects connected in regions with known bottlenecks might not be fully reimbursed, introducing an incentive for better allocation of projects.
Meanwhile, the ONS (National System Operator) proposed adjustments to the Network Procedures to increase transparency in identifying power outages. The proposal includes the creation of a detailed record of operational restrictions, allowing agents to verify the specific reasons for each event and its eligibility for compensation.
Schedule
The public consultation of ANEEL It could be completed by next May, with regulations expected to be published in the second half of the year.
Market expectations are that the payments will take into account retroactive effects to the date of the law, although the financial operations should only take place at the end of the year, through the CCEE (Chamber of Electric Energy Commercialization).
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