Eight states had an increase in their electricity bills above inflation in 2023

Os tariff adjustments and reviews suggested by distributors and approved, No. first semester of the year, by ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency) increased the value of the electricity bill of residential consumers above the level of inflation in at least eight states in Brazil. 

The information was collected by Canal Solar, based on reports published by the Agency. In some cases, changes announced on the electricity bill exceed the country's official inflation by more than twice – which was 5,79% in 2022 and is expected to be 5,01% this year, according to the central bank. 

For now, the highest elevations of the year went to residential consumers served by the distributors Equatorial Alagoas (14,57%), Cemig (14,91%) and Copel (10,96%), in states of Alagoas, Minas Gerais and Paraná, respectively. 

Increases above the inflation level were also recorded in the value of electricity bills in the states of Rio de Janeiro, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Bahia and Pernambuco. In all, more 35,6 million consumers were impacted in these eight states.

Learn more: What is the difference between a tariff adjustment and a tariff review?

According to ANEEL, tariff adjustments and reviews on consumers' energy bills may vary according to the region, as this is due to variations in the operating costs of each distributor. 

Discussions in the Chamber of Deputies

The controversy surrounding the high energy tariffs charged to Brazilian consumers was the subject of discussion between deputies and the director general of ANEEL, Hélvio Guerra, in a public hearing held this Wednesday (21) by the Chamber's Mines and Energy and Financial Oversight and Control committees. 

“The decisions that were taken both in relation to TUST and the location sign, with the false discourse that lowered the price of energy, we have not seen this anywhere in Brazil and we will not see it. The announcements that will now be made regarding the renewal of tariffs by concessionaires will continue to be well above the inflation rate”, said deputy Danilo Forte (União-CE).

Learn more: ANEEL approves addition of locational signal in TUST calculation.

In response to questions, Guerra said that the electricity tariff in Brazil is made up of a set of factors and that the TUST (Transmission System Usage Tariff) is just one of them. Among these factors, he cited subsidies granted to some consumers and inflation.  

The director of ANEEL He also said that, as promised by the Agency, the TUST will be reduced from July for some regions. Guerra emphasizes, however, that this does not mean that the electricity bill will be reduced. “The ANEEL discuss this (value of the electricity bill) every day, looking for elements that can reduce the rates as a whole”, he commented.   

Check below the list of tariff increases above inflation and that were approved by ANEEL between the months of January and June of this year, in chronological order: 

• Light: distributor that serves 4,7 million consumer units in Rio de Janeiro and in another 36 municipalities in Rio de Janeiro, had an approved annual tariff adjustment of 7,4% on March 13. 
• Enel RJ: distributor that serves 2,7 million consumer units in 66 municipalities in the state of Rio de Janeiro, had a periodic tariff review of 6,01% approved on March 14. 
• Energisa Mato Grosso do Sul: distributor that serves more than 1,1 million consumer units located in 74 municipalities in the state, had a periodic tariff review approved on April 4 of 9,58%. 
• Energisa Mato Grosso: distributor that serves around 1,56 million consumer units in the state, had a periodic tariff review of 8,62% on April 4th. 
• Neoenergia Coelba: distributor that serves 6,3 million consumer units in 415 municipalities in Baianos, had an approved tariff index of 8,23% on April 18.
• Neoenergia Pernambuco: distributor that serves 3,9 million consumer units in the state, had an approved annual tariff adjustment of 8,16% on May 9. 
• Cemig: distributor that serves 9,1 million consumer units located in 774 municipalities in the state of Minas Gerais, had a periodic tariff review of 14,91% approved on May 23. 
• Equatorial Alagoas: distributor that serves 1,33 million consumer units in the state, had an approved annual tariff adjustment of 14,57% on May 23.  
• Copel: distributor that serves 5 million consumer units in Paraná, had an approved annual tariff adjustment of 10,96% on June 20th.