The additional amount paid by Brazilians on their electricity bills increased by 364,8% in less than two months, jumping from R$1,343 to R$6,243 for every 100 kWh consumed. The increase is due to the energy crisis and the subsequent activation of the two most expensive tariff flags in the country. Brazil is currently experiencing the worst drought in the last 91 years and has critical levels of water reserves in its strategic reservoirs, which has led the Federal Government to resort to the use of thermal power plants.
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As a result, on April 30th, the ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency) was forced to change the current tariff flag: going from yellow to red 1, with a higher additional rate of R$ 4,169 for every 100 kWh. At the time, the Agency reported that the “increase” in the flag was directly related to the month of May, a period of the year that marks the beginning of the dry season in much of the country.
“This situation signals an unfavorable level of production by hydroelectric plants and a high need to activate the thermoelectric park, putting pressure on costs related to hydrological risk (GSF) and the price of energy in the short-term market (PLD)”, communicated the entity.
Less than a month later, on May 28, with the crisis worsening, the ANEEL had to activate red flag 2 – the most expensive of the extra charges, with an additional cost of R$6,243 for every 100 kWh. Technicians in the sector state that the additional charges are not expected to decrease until the end of the year, due to the climate scenario. “With the activation of the red flag at its highest level, it is important to reinforce to consumers actions related to the conscious use and combating energy waste”, highlights the ANEEL.
