Aneel paves the way to save Amazonas Energia without intervention.

247 - The National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) authorized, this Friday (7), the start of negotiations to enable the transfer of Amazonas Energia to Âmbar Energia, paving the way for the financial recovery of the distributor without the need for state intervention, which would cost public coffers approximately R$ 20 billion. 

With this decision, Aneel approves a conciliation, guaranteeing the legal security of the process and the resolution of a chaotic situation in the energy distribution service in Amazonas.

At the end of January, the Federal Court of Amazonas upheld the 60-day extension for the transfer of control of the distributor. The decision also stipulated that Aneel (the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency) must continue transferring funds to the concessionaire, which are essential to prevent service interruptions due to non-payment to suppliers while the transfer of control is not yet finalized.

Amber had already submitted a proposal to Aneel (Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency) that foresees the implementation of financial flexibilities worth R$ 14 billion over 15 years, which is equivalent to the annual amount already allocated to Amazonas Energia. Therefore, the plan would not represent an additional cost to consumers, but rather an extension of the exceptions granted to Amazonas Energia due to the operational and financial difficulties the distributor has always faced. Amazonas represents the largest energy distribution concession area in the country and has the highest rates of energy theft and non-payment. 

Amber would inherit a company with billions in debt. Amazonas Energia accumulates annual losses exceeding R$ 700 million and has an estimated debt of R$ 11 billion. The transfer of control prevents a financial collapse of the distributor and stops the burden of this debt from falling on the Treasury and, consequently, on consumers. 

Data from the National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon), of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP), indicates that the company was the champion of complaints in customer service in the state in 2023. 

The other option for Aneel would be a possible state intervention, but the agency's calculations indicated that the cost of this measure would be R$ 20 billion. The authorization to begin negotiations with Âmbar Energia therefore emerges as the most efficient and economically viable alternative, allowing the distributor to be restructured and the supply guaranteed.