The official opening of Public Consultation No. 001/2026, held by ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency) last Tuesday (27), regarding the modernization of measurement systems in Brazil, represents a relevant step for the electricity sector.
However, for José Wanderley Marangon Lima, advisor to INEL (National Institute of Clean Energy) and member of the board of directors of the Distributed Energy Resources area of ABGD (Brazilian Association of Distributed Generation), the initiative is still insufficient given the real needs for transforming the relationship between the consumer and the electricity grid.
According to the expert, the digitalization of consumption is already a reality in people's daily lives, with the growing presence of connected home appliances.
“We started interacting with smart equipment, in the residential case, smart refrigerators, smart air conditioners, smart washing machines. All this intelligence communicates with the meter. I understand that the meter will be the future, the great interface center between the consumer and the grid,” he explained.
According to Marangon's analysis, despite the possibility of internet connectivity and software updates, the currently proposed model still lacks more advanced functionalities.
For him, the true potential of smart meters lies in their ability to manage energy resources in an integrated way, allowing for more efficient load management, with direct impacts on comfort and consumption profiles.
"The meter can manage the resources of a residence, a business, or a small industry, seeking greater efficiency in energy use, but also better controlling the load curve," he highlighted.
"The idea is that, by installing this meter, the consumer can meet their comfort requirements with minimal disruption to their consumption habits," he added.
For this model to function fully, however, Marangon emphasizes the importance of clearer economic signals to the consumer, especially through more dynamic tariff structures.
"If I'm looking to install an hourly, quarter-hour, or half-hour meter, I need to have adequate price signals. This price signal structure here still has many steps to be taken in Brazil," he stated.
In the expert's view, both the white tariff and the current metering proposal are progressing at a slower pace than necessary. "I think that, just as the white tariff is behind schedule, the proposed meter is also behind schedule. The Ministry wants 2% of meters to be replaced with smart meters every year. That's impossible; it's either done or it's not," he pointed out. Given this scenario, Maragon It advocates for a broader structural transformation in the electricity sector model.
“Either we study a new model for the sector, to make a major revolution and offer these tools to the consumer, with good communication, or this process will continue to be very slow,” he comments. Despite this, he recognizes the importance of the debate opened by... ANEEL and by the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
“The initiative is important, it’s commendable, but we need to sit down, talk with society, with associations, and propose something truly effective and compatible with Brazilian culture. This process is not simple, but it needs to be treated with greater seriousness,” he concluded.
Understanding the public consultation
According to ANEELThe initiative aims to gather contributions to support decisions regarding the need for and format of any potential regulatory intervention, assessing the technical, economic, and operational impacts on consumers, distributors, and the energy transition itself.
With the public consultation open, energy distributors and consumers will have the opportunity to discuss best practices for the adoption of smart meters throughout the country. Contributions can be sent from January 29 to March 16, 2026, via email to cp001_2026@aneel.gov.br.
Implementation guidelines
This opening occurs in parallel with a new move by the MME (Ministry of Mines and Energy) to accelerate the digitalization of the electricity sector.
Through Normative Ordinance No. 126/2026The ministry redefined the guidelines for the implementation of smart metering systems in the country, establishing, for the first time, a mandatory minimum expansion target in the short term.
According to the new regulation released by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), distribution companies must ensure the additional implementation of smart metering systems at a rate of 2% per year of consumer units, for a period of 24 months, starting on March 1, 2026. Therefore, the new guideline obliges distributors to accelerate the modernization of their metering infrastructure by March 2028.
The selection of consumer units should follow technical and operational criteria, prioritizing regions with available infrastructure, contiguous areas, and, especially, locations with higher rates of non-technical losses and high operating costs.
The expectation is that this approach will maximize the economic and regulatory benefits of deploying smart meters.
The regulation also authorizes the adoption of alternative solutions to the direct installation of smart meters — devices capable of monitoring and controlling electricity consumption accurately and in real time, bringing benefits to both consumers and distributors.
In these cases, the concessionaires must demonstrate concrete advantages for users and direct investments equivalent to the digitization of the network or the modernization of services, ensuring operational gains, efficiency, and quality of service.
The text defines a minimum set of mandatory functionalities, such as remote reading, interruption logging, anti-fraud alarms, cybersecurity mechanisms, interoperability, and the possibility of hourly billing.
From a regulatory standpoint, smart meters are taking on a strategic position in combating losses, non-payment, and fraud, by enabling actions such as remote disconnection and reconnection, as well as greater traceability of operations.
Another significant advancement is the prioritization of digital billing for consumers served by these systems, while preserving their right to request physical delivery. This measure reinforces the digitalization of services and seeks to increase transparency in the relationship between distributors and users.
In the medium and long term, the main structural change lies in the requirement that distributors submit a detailed Cost-Benefit Analysis to Aneel (Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency) by February 2028, considering a minimum horizon of 10 years. The study must quantify the economic, operational, and regulatory impacts of implementing smart meters.
From March 2028 onwards, the expansion of the systems should be directly guided by the results of these analyses, with the responsibility falling to... ANEEL to recognize in the regulatory framework only those investments considered efficient and prudent, thus consolidating its role as a technical-economic arbiter of the process.
Furthermore, Ordinance No. 126/2026 establishes the obligation to submit an annual Investment Plan to the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) with a five-year horizon, encompassing investments in digitalization, network modernization, communication with consumers, loss reduction, and energy inclusion.
Despite regulatory progress, experts point out that the proposed smart metering model still has technical and conceptual limitations compared to its potential to transform the electricity sector.
Cybersecurity of smart meters
In this context of accelerated expansion of smart metering and increased digitization of distribution networks, one of the points that gains centrality in the debate is the cybersecurity of these systems.
As Brazil prepares to install millions of new smart meters, concerns are also growing regarding data protection, information integrity, and the resilience of the electricity sector's digital infrastructure.
With the increase in digital interactions between consumers and distributors, smart grids are also becoming more vulnerable to attacks.
Yanael MedeirosAn engineer from CS Consultoria mentioned that smart meters are being designed with multiple layers of security, incorporating best practices in data protection and international standards.
"Among the main technologies applied are data encryption, authentication between devices, the use of secure communication protocols, logical network segmentation, and the implementation of intrusion detection systems," he explained.
“Furthermore, these devices feature secure remote updates, allowing for the correction of any faults without compromising the integrity of the system. It is important to note that security protocols may vary depending on the meter manufacturer. Therefore, whenever possible, it is essential to consult the manufacturer's technical specifications to understand in more detail the protection mechanisms adopted and to ensure that the device is configured in accordance with the security requirements of the utility company and the electricity sector,” he emphasized.
Reducing technical losses in the electrical grid
One of the great promises of smart meters is their ability to reduce losses in the electrical grid. Energy distributors have faced both technical losses, related to the resistance of system components, and non-technical losses, such as energy theft.
The engineer highlighted that the devices are fundamental for distinguishing between these two categories, providing accurate data on consumption, voltage, and current.
Opening of the free market tends to boost the expansion of smart metering
With this detailed information, distributors can identify areas with imbalances or overloads and take corrective actions quickly and effectively.
"The cross-referencing of low-voltage measurements with medium-voltage boundary data allows for the calculation of real-time energy efficiency indicators, which improves preventive maintenance strategies and helps prioritize investments in regions with the highest loss rates," he explained.
Modernization and its benefits for consumers and distributors.
Companies like Cemig, Copel, and CPFL Energia are already investing in replacing traditional meters with more advanced models.
Cemig, for example, has already replaced more than 2 million meters in Minas Gerais, and projects the installation of 400 new devices in 2025 alone.
In addition to sending real-time data to distributors, modern meters provide consumers with more precise control over their energy consumption, promising a more transparent and efficient relationship with the supplier.
In Paraná, Copel had implemented a large-scale program with the goal of installing 2 million smart meters by the end of 2025, covering 155 municipalities.
With over 1,7 million devices already in operation, the distributor stands out for integrating meters with mobile applications, allowing customers to monitor and adjust their energy consumption in a simple and direct way.
CPFL Energia, in turn, plans to replace 1,6 million conventional meters by 2029, with a total investment of R$ 1,2 billion.
The project, which will be implemented in cities in the interior of São Paulo, also aims to integrate smart grid technologies, placing the customer at the center of the transformation and allowing for detailed, real-time monitoring of consumption.
Power quality and grid stability
Power quality is another crucial aspect of a smart grid. Smart meters play an important role in the early detection of electrical disturbances, such as voltage variations and phase imbalances, problems that can compromise the continuity of supply.
The engineer emphasized that these devices allow for the identification and correction of faults before they become larger problems, directly impacting network stability.
Distributors, in turn, are investing heavily in devices that offer detailed real-time monitoring.
Copel, for example, integrates these meters with mobile applications, allowing consumers to monitor and adjust their energy consumption directly from their cell phones.
This transparency and control are seen as an advantage for consumers, who now have more autonomy to manage their consumption and avoid surprises on their bill.
Furthermore, when smart meters are integrated with automation and predictive analytics systems, they can detect degradation patterns and optimize network maintenance.
This type of technology can also improve supply continuity indicators, such as DEC (Equivalent Interruption Duration per Consumer Unit) and FEC (Equivalent Interruption Frequency per Consumer Unit).
In a practical example, the engineer mentioned the importance of these meters in assessing power quality, especially in regions with distributed micro and mini-generation (DMM), where low-quality inverters can generate harmonics that are harmful to the grid.
“It is important to note that some manufacturers specify a minimum distance between the inverter and the meter, both to ensure the accuracy of the measurements and to guarantee compliance with utility company standards and the safety of the installation. Therefore, when purchasing and installing a smart meter, it is essential to consult the manufacturer's technical manual and follow the installation recommendations, ensuring full functionality and reliability of the measured data,” he added.
The manufacturers' perspective
Manufacturers of smart meters are also eyeing the opportunities presented by the public consultation. Companies such as Eletra Energy and Nansen highlight the importance of a clear and stable regulatory environment to foster new investments.
Eletra Energy, with its factory in Ceará, is betting on meters with high robustness, cybersecurity, and interoperability between different communication protocols.
According to Ronaldo Lucas, the company's commercial director, replacing traditional meters with smart models brings benefits to distributors and consumers alike, by ensuring greater transparency and control over energy use.
Nansen, headquartered in Manaus and with a presence in various regions of Brazil, is another company involved in the installation of millions of meters in the country.
Ciro Lima, CMO of Nansen, points out that greater transparency and predictability in the electricity sector are fundamental to ensuring a faster and more efficient adoption of new technologies.
He argues that smart meters are key to transforming the sector into a more sustainable and efficient model, reducing losses and promoting the integration of renewable sources.
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