Fonte: ANEEL
The Equivalent Frequency of Interruptions by Consumer Unit (FEC), which measures the number of times of power outages, was 11.35 on average in Brazil, against 11.72 in 2009. The time of gaps in interruptions in the supply, measured by Equivalent Duration of Interruption per Consumer Unit (DEC), was also reduced: it went down from 18.77 (equivalent to eighteen hours, forty-two minutes and two seconds) in 2009 to 18.40 (equivalent to eighteen hours and 24 minutes) for 2010. Check out the tables of DEC and FEC Brazil . 

States Member of the Northern region had the highest number of outages in 2010, with 49.07. The DEC, in them, was 76.80 (equivalent to 76 hours and 48 minutes). The Midwest had the second highest FEC, with total length of 15.64 and 19.63 (nineteen hours and thirty seven minutes and eight seconds). The Northeast region showed a FEC of 11.25 and a DEC of 20.70 (twenty hours and 42 minutes). The number of interruptions in the Southeast was the lowest, with 6.6 times, and duration of 11.43 (11 hours, twenty-five minutes and eight seconds). In the south, the FEC was 10.52, and the DEC was 14.49 (fourteen hours, twenty-nine minutes and four seconds). See the table of DEC and FEC by region . 

The director general of the National Agency of Electrical Energy, Nelson Hübner, said the reduction in the frequency of outages reflects more accurately the current conditions of supply of electricity in Brazil, because it indicates better quality, technological advancement and lower susceptibility of networks. 

Regarding the duration of outages, the director reckons that companies should improve the mechanisms for restoration of power, seeking alternatives to improve the quality of care such as adequacy of the teams, work shift and fleet maintenance, promoting adjustment and network automation. 

"It is up to ANEEL to intensify enforcement actions and determine whether the regulatory signals are adequate," says the director. The supervision of the Agency periodically checks if the DEC and FEC limits were exceeded and in such cases, it determines if the distributors have made ​​up for consumers in accordance with Resolution No.395/2009. In the first half of 2010, companies paid BRL 152.44 million to consumers, according to a preliminary balance of ANEEL. Read more about compensation. (GL/FA)