EN 
PT_BR 
A Commerce Energy and the Itaú Unibanco announce commercial partnership for offering and distributing migration services from the captive market to the free market. Initially, the services will be available to bank customers connected to medium or high voltage who will be able to migrate and directly negotiate the purchase of electricity.
The agreement between the companies takes place in a scenario of opening of the free energy market, accelerated by the new regulation in force since January 1, 2024.
According to the CCEE (Electric Energy Trading Chamber), expanding access to the energy contracting model for Group A consumers, which includes small and medium-sized companies (SMEs), will allow a potential 165 thousand consumers to join the ACL ( Free Contracting Environment).
The initial scope of the partnership between Comerc Energia and Itaú foresees the offering of new services to the bank's customers who receive energy at a voltage equal to or greater than 2.3 kV – as stipulated by ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency) – and with energy consumption around R$ 8 thousand per month.
“The decision to 'migrate' to the free market requires consultative support, a relationship of trust and reputation. Furthermore, the solidity of the energy seller is a very important aspect. Comerc has teamed up with a partner that brings together these attributes, one of the largest financial institutions in South America, the ideal partner”, said Andre Dorf, CEO of the Comerc Energia Group, which manages around 17% of consumers in the segment, equivalent to 6% of the energy consumed in Brazil.
For Eric Altafim, director of Tables and Products at Itaú Unibanco, the partnership represents an important movement, aligned with the bank's objective of expanding and improving the offer of products and services and supporting customers in all their demands.
“Comerc Energia is a player with a high level of expertise and a leader in energy management in the Brazilian free market. We understand that this is an expanding market and, through this partnership, we will be able to offer customers all the benefits of access to the ACL”, he said. “Itaú will contribute its broad customer relationship channel, following the strategy of offering the best solutions that go beyond financial products.”
Expanding market
Demand for entry into the ACL continues to rise, taking into account the growth from 11 thousand to 38 thousand consumers from January to December 2023. According to ANEEL, around 13 thousand companies in Group A have requested migration for this month of January, and there is a potential universe with more than 165 thousand companies able to join the Free Contracting Environment.
Currently, the segment already accounts for 39% of electricity consumption in Brazil, which could reach 46% throughout 2024 as Group A companies continue to join.
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