RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Most energy consumers across the country will have a chance to change their habits and lower their electricity bills. In force since 2018 for large consumers, the so-called “white” energy tariff will be extended to virtually all Brazilians on January 1st.
The white tariff consists of reducing the price of energy outside peak hours, and involves three scenarios.
On working days, the energy charge will be divided into three time ranges: peak time (red tariff), between late afternoon and early evening; intermediate range (yellow), one hour before and one hour after peak time, and off-peak time (green), with a lower cost for the remainder of the day.
On weekends and national holidays, the energy tariff will always be charged at the off-peak rate. The model began to be applied in 2018, for units with a consumption exceeding 500 kilowatt-hours (kWh). In 2019, it began to be applied in units with a consumption above 250 kWh.
The change will not only apply to low-income subclass residential units, currently charged under favorable conditions. This pricing model is applied in countries such as Canada, Australia, Italy, France and the United Kingdom.
Subscription
Each power company establishes its own peak time. To subscribe to the white tariff, consumers will need to formally register their option with their distributor as of January. The company will install a new energy meter able to record consumption in different time ranges.
Consumers should be cautious before choosing the white tariff. This will involve changing habits, such as using appliances that use more energy, particularly the electric shower, out of peak times. If customers fail to heed this and maintain their consumption during peak times, they may close the month with a more expensive bill.
Check the peak times for the main energy distributors:
CEMIG – Minas Gerais: 5 PM to 7:59 PM
ENEL – São Paulo: 5:30 PM to 8:29 PM
LIGHT – Rio de Janeiro: 5:30 PM to 8:29 PM
CEB – Federal District: 6 PM to 8:59 PM
CPFL – São Paulo, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul and Minas Gerais: 6 PM to 8:59 PM
CEEE – Rio Grande do Sul: 6 PM to 8:59 PM
CELESC – Santa Catarina: 6 PM to 8:59 PM
COELBA – Bahia: 6 PM to 8:59 PM
COPEL – Paraná: 6 PM to 8:59 PM