News from France and the region

“It was R$220 to R$240. The last (bill) came to R$440.” Marcia Helena Palamoni Grace, 48, felt the high price of electricity in her pocket. Cases like hers are repeated across the city, due to the ongoing tariff adjustments announced by Aneel (the National Electric Energy Agency). In a house in Jardim Guanabara, Marcia lives with her husband and two children. The family performed cuts, but got no results. “My husband put (lamps) with LED, because it is more economical. We do not use a yard cleaning machine as they say it consumes a lot of energy. A lot of things have been robbed and I have not seen any progress.” “Before I paid about R$85. This month it came to R$213.” For Rita de Cassia Oliveira, 38, showering is the biggest enemy when it comes to paying the energy bill. “I think it’s showering, because there are two kids and getting them out is a bit complicated,” he explains. Saving at the supermarket was one way that Nova Franca residents found to balance their budgets. “Try not to leave the lamp on. Charge the kids to hang up. We reduced TV time. In the market we try to buy cheaper things or get other promotions or brands.” In addition to household appliances, 39-year-old Jose Goulart-Neto has sewing machines, sewing and assembly machines, and a compressor in his home. To pay the bills, the shoe manufacturer has increased working hours. “I enjoy it and work more. I work on Saturdays too, and I’ll work a little bit more during the week, and work extra hours, to be able to put up with everything.” Factory lives with his wife and three children in Jardim Santa Monica. Jose used to pay about R$300 on his energy bill. With recent modifications, the price has increased to R$400. “There is no other way out than to take advantage of the moment of action and to be able to pay for all this,” he added.

Flags and amounts charged
Brazil suffers from a lack of rain, which has led to low levels of reservoirs for hydroelectric power plants, which are responsible for the production of energy that powers much of the country. To ensure the supply to the consumer, thermal power plants are activated. Production by thermal power plants is more expensive, and incurs additional fees, known as Energy Flags. Each stage represents an additional value, calculated per 100 kW. paying off:

• Green Flag – No Additional Fee
• Yellow Flag – R$1.343
• Red Flag Level 1 – 4,169 BRL
• Red Flag Level 2 – R$9.49
• The science of water scarcity – 14.20 BRL

The science of water scarcity, announced by Aneel last Tuesday the 31st, is the highest ever imposed on a consumer. The new flag has been in effect since last Wednesday, the first, until April 2022.

CPFL
CPFL (Companhia Paulista de Força e Luz) is responsible for supply in Franca. The company charged R$83.79 per 100 kWh household, considering August 2021, when it was on red flag level 2. “After the billing delay, the company must notify the consumer of the energy bill default. After this notification, the bill is calculated 15 days. After this period, the reduction can already be carried out, ”explain the company’s consultants. The CPFL report questioned the number of defaulters in Franca. The company said it could not report the amount before the earnings announcement, because it is a public company.