The Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveiraannounced alongside the governor of São Paulo, Tarcisio de Freitas (Republicans), and the mayor of the capital of São Paulo, Ricardo Nunes (MDB), which will activate the National Electric Energy Agency (Anaël) so that the process of expiry of the concession contract of the Enel in São Paulo — the first step towards breaking the contract with the supplier.
Silveira, Tarcísio and Nunes met at the São Paulo government headquarters in the capital and announced the decision after the meeting.
Enel serves 24 municipalities in the metropolitan region, including the capital, and has a contract scheduled until 2028, despite repeated interruptions in the electricity supply to the population of São Paulo. Last week, more than 2.2 million properties in the capital’s metropolitan area were left without power, after winds of more than 90 km/hour hit the area.
In a press interview, Tarcísio, Nunes and Silveira sought to show that they were united in the decision to terminate the contract.
“Aneel will be urged by the Ministry of Mines and Energy to begin the expiration process, which initiates the termination of the contract,” said the mayor of the capital. “Enel does not have the structure or commitment to respond to needs, especially when there is an unfavorable situation due to climate change,” Nunes criticized.
During the meeting, according to the mayor’s report, Minister Alexandre Silveira said that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was closely following the matter. At the SBT News launch event on Friday, Nunes and Tarcísio spoke briefly with Lula about the problems with Enel.
This Tuesday, Nunes said that the three governments “are united on what matters, that is, protecting the population” and said that Enel should be replaced by a “company capable of serving São Paulo well.” Tarcísio said the situation with Enel was untenable.
Alongside Tarcísio and Nunes, the minister said that the three administrations were in favor of terminating the contract with Enel and that they would ask Aneel that the agency begin the expiration process. Silveira, however, did not give a deadline for the regulatory agency to decide on the contract.
“We are completely united – federal, state and municipal government – so that a rigorous regulatory process can begin. We hope that Aneel can provide the quickest possible response, implementing and launching the expiration process which will result in improving the quality of the distribution service,” said the minister, in a statement to the press.
Enel was contacted by the report for comment, but has not yet responded.
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