Did you know that you can pay a different price for energy depending on the time of day? According to Guilherme Susteras, partner at Sun Mobi, the white rate can be a good alternative for those who use it outside periods of lower demand (morning, early afternoon and early morning, for example), offering an opportunity to reduce the amount paid for the energy consumed.
On weekdays, the white tariff has three tariff levels: peak (most expensive), intermediate and off-peak (cheapest). These periods are established by ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency) and are different for each distributor. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays have off-peak rates 24 hours a day. “The periods depend on each distributor, but, generally, the cost of energy is more expensive between 17 pm and 21 pm”, explained Susteras.
According to the expert, it is very important that consumers, before opting for the white tariff, know their consumption profile, otherwise it could be a trap. “The big challenge is that, in practice, people have little sensitivity to how much energy they use per day. Because, normally, the measurement is made at the end of the month. So, you don't have this visibility and you could run the risk of ending up paying more for the energy you paid before,” he explained.
For him, the white tariff is not recommended if consumption is higher during peak and intermediate periods, and there is no possibility of transferring the use of this electrical energy to the off-peak period. “In these situations, the bill value may increase and the consumer may return to the conventional billing model, with a single amount (in R$/kWh) charged for the energy consumed on all days and hours.”
Who can join the white tariff?
From that year onwards, the option for the white tariff became available to all UCs (Consumer Units) connected at low voltage (residences and small businesses, for example). The modality does not apply to residential consumers classified as low income, beneficiaries of discounts provided for by law and to public lighting.
In 2018, when the white tariff came into force, the UCs that could adhere to it were those with an average monthly consumption above 500 kWh. In 2019, those who could apply were those with monthly consumption above 250 kWh.
How to join?
According to ANEEL, consumers must formalize their option with the distributor, which must respond to the request within 30 days. The subscription of a new connection, if the consumer wishes to start the supply with the application of the white tariff, must be responded to within a maximum of five days (urban area) and 10 days (rural area).
If the consumer opts for the white tariff and later wants to return to conventional pricing, they will only be able to request inclusion in the white tariff again after 180 days. Migration is optional.
