Measures raise Bill in 3%

The two months of the end of Government Michel Temer, the Ministry of mines and energy decided to propose controversial measures that can bring cost of R $4.8 billion to consumers of energy and increase of almost 3% in the electricity bill, according to the Brazilian Association of great Energy consumers (Embrace). Among the actions proposed are the firing of gas thermal plants, that are halts due to the high fixed cost, and conducting an auction for hiring mode thermal reserve, under the rationale of raising the security of the system. The Government also approved a resolution that has doubled the price of energy nuclear power plant Angra 3, whose works were interrupted after the involvement of contractors in allegations of corruption. The President of the Embrace, Edvaldo Alves de Santana, questions the moment for the Government to adopt policies that raise the cost of energy amid the electoral calendar. Another point is the attempt to engage older thermal and guys in October, start of the rainy season, which has allowed the adoption of yellow flag light bills in November, reducing the extra paid amount in the accounts. According to Embrace, the readjustment of Angra 3 will add a cost of R $2.5 billion a year in electric bills, after the plant is ready. The hiring of the oldest thermal must add other R $300 million per year. "It beggars belief to hurry to implement the measures, in addition to awkward with the Government that will come in. There's so much misconception that there is a risk of spending with thermal in the rainy season, "said Santana.Na last week, the Government also released, for public consultation, a gatehouse and a decree that would permit the achievement of a bid for power plants, but in unpublished mode. Once the energy planning studies indicate energy surplus, the Government intends to conduct an auction for hiring power associated with the reserve power, under the rationale of raising the security of the system in the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest and South. Experts consulted by associated press/Broadcast assess that the auction has no legal basis, because the law does not provide for this type of recruitment. The lack of sources towards the Ministry, which proposed to launch a program to reduce the electric bill, but adopts isolated measures are going in the opposite direction, in compliance with the interests of specific sectors. Questioned, the Ministry of mines and energy has recognized that the legal advice of the MME "haven't discussed the merits of such a legal proposition" and it will only rule after public consultation in progress. Sources heard by the report consider it unlikely that the new Government accepted to do the bidding under these conditions. The Coordinator of the study group of the Electric Sector (Gesel at) of UFRJ, Nivalde de Castro, alert to the cost of the measures. "It's a measure group that reinforces the trend of increasing rates for consumers," he said. "Why this anxiety to do an auction for hire now, if any thermal planning is long-term sector?" In the case of auction of thermal power plants, will be R $2 billion per year for every 1000 MWs hired, says the Embrace. The information is from the newspaper O Estado de s. Paulo.