Fonte: ANEEL
Today (9/25) is the last day for submission of contributions to Public Hearing 048/2012, which discusses the rules of electronic electricity pre-payment and post-payment modalities. Suggestions can be sent to the email ap048_2012@aneel.gov.br, fax +55 61 2192-8839 or to the Agency’s address (SGAN, Quadra 603, Módulo I, Térreo, Protocolo Geral, CEP: 70830-030), in Brasília (DF). So far, over 800 proposals from consumers, sector stakeholders, consumer protection associations and parties interested in the subject were received by the agency.
To discuss the issue, the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency (ANEEL) also held onsite sessions in 10 Brazilian capitals: Belém (PA), Fortaleza (CE), Florianópolis (SC), Porto Alegre (RS), São Paulo (SP), Brasília (DF), Salvador (BA), Belo Horizonte (MG), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), and Cuiabá (MT).
The prepayment system proposed by ANEEL is similar to what exists in mobile telephony: the consumer buys their credits at retail outlets and enters it in the meter. The prepayment will be made through an electronic meter to be installed for free by the electricity distributor, allowing reading consumption in real time. The consumer can buy any securities, considering the minimum value equivalent to 1.0 kilowatt (kWh) – the initial value will be of 5.0 kWh, payable on the first purchase of credits. The credits purchased will not have an expiration date.
The electronic meter will display the amount of credits available in kWh, and will have visual and audible alarm to warn that the end of the credits is near. By telephone or through the meter, the consumer may request an emergency credit to the distributor in order not to run out of energy – the equivalent amount will be deducted from the next recharge of credits, being forbidden the accumulation of credits not settled.
Under the proposed regulations, it is up to each distributor to determine their interest in the form of prepayment. Those that adopt it will have three years to offer this option to all low voltage consumers in their concession areas, with the exception of street lighting. Among the attractive features for utilities are the prospect of reducing the costs of business activities, delinquency levels and commercial losses, claims for suspension and incorrect billing.
ANCILLARY ACTIVITIES– On the same site, there will be the meeting of Public Hearing No. 047/2012, which deals with the proposed regulations on services and activities that electricity distributors can offer beyond those required in the concession contract – including electrical properties reform, preparation of construction projects with energy efficiency and the inclusion of signatures, contributions and donations in the bill.
Until September 25, any citizen or institution may submit opinions and suggestions on the two themes proposed by ANEEL. Hearings have already been held in Belém, Fortaleza, Florianopolis, Sao Paulo and Brasilia, and other public meetings are planned for Salvador, Rio de Janeiro and Cuiabá (MT).
The contributions as ancillary activities can be forwarded to the email address ap047_2012@aneel.gov.br, and those about the electronic prepayment and post-payment to the email address ap048_2012@aneel.gov.br. You can also send contributions by fax to (55 61) 2192-8839 or to the address of the Agency (SGAN, Quadra 603, Módulo I, Térreo, Protocolo Geral, CEP: 70.830-030), in Brasília (DF). (PG / DB)
