Brazilian consumers' electricity bills will become even more expensive in 2022 and could be adjusted by up to 16,22%, according to information from ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency). The reason for the increase is the water crisis, which is affecting the country's main water basins. According to the Agency, the adjustment will be necessary to offset the cost of exceptional measures, such as activating thermal power plants.
Data from the MME (Ministry of Mines and Energy) reveal that the crisis in the reservoirs will cause hydroelectric plants operate at less than 15% of capacity in November. The lowest record was registered in 2014, when capacity was 19%. ANEEL highlights, however, that it is studying the application of measures to reduce the financial impact on consumers and that, if it manages to put them into practice, the increase would be 10,73% next year.
Consecutive increases
In the last three months, the value of the electricity bill has recorded consecutive increases, due to the country's enormous dependence on hydroelectric plants, which currently account for more than 60% of the energy matrix. At the end of June, ANEEL adjusted the value of the red tariff flag by 52%, at level 2, which caused the extra charge to increase from R$6,24 to R$9,49 for every 100 kWh consumed.
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For this year, the possibility of the value rising to R$ 11,50 is not ruled out, as The country's main electricity concessionaires expressed their support for a new adjustment.
Inflation
Just like the electricity bill, Brazilian inflation has also suffered from consecutive increases due to the influence of the water crisis and fuel prices. In total, the indicator measured by the IPCA (Broad National Consumer Price Index) has accumulated an increase of 4,76% since the beginning of the year and 8,99% in the last 12 months. Furthermore, more recent market projections indicate that inflation in the country will remain above 7% by the end of 2021.
This Monday (23), in a virtual event promoted by the SBVC (Brazilian Society and Retail and Consumption), the Minister of Economy, Paulo Guedes denied that inflation is out of control in the country and said that the rise in prices is 'within about the game'.
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