The authorization for four distribution cooperatives to simulate contracts in the free energy market for low voltage customers will be a test for consumer behavior. Expected in the coming years, the total opening of the contracting environment will change consumer relations, but until this happens, the market is carrying out simulations.
In November, the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) authorized the tariff sandbox — a type of experimentation related to electricity bills —, to be carried out by the companies Cooperativa de Eletrificação Braço do Norte (Cerbranorte), Cooperativa Regional de Energia Taquari Jacuí (Certaj ), Teutônia Energy Distribution Cooperative (Certel), and Coprel Energy Cooperative (Coprel).
During 2025, these cooperatives, which operate in the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, will test contracting dynamics with consumers, in free energy market simulations.
Different scenarios
Low voltage consumers will be exposed to scenarios different from the rules of the regulated contracting environment (ACR).
The National Confederation of Infrastructure Cooperatives (Infracoop) was the creator of the project. According to the entity’s superintendent, José Zordan, the idea is to anticipate the movement that should take place in the coming years.
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“The main objective of the project is to conduct controlled experiments aimed at fully opening the market in a sample of low voltage consumers, and preparing permissioned cooperatives and their processes for the free market,” he said.
It is not yet possible for low voltage consumers to migrate to the free market. The rules for this opening are still under discussion within the government.
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However, all medium and high voltage customers were allowed to enter the free environment from January 2024 and adherence has been high.
Since the beginning of 2024, more than 21 thousand consumer units have already joined the free contracting environment (ACL), according to data from the Electric Energy Trading Chamber (CCEE).
Operation
How will the simulation work for low voltage customers?
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The first stage after Aneel approval consists of field research. Among 15 thousand consumers consulted, 3.1 thousand will be chosen to receive differentiated tariff offers.
The sandbox aims to understand how consumers will react to different types of contracts, with varying economic and environmental appeals. The study aims to answer valuable questions for the context that precedes the opening of the low voltage market.
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“Is the licensee member willing to buy energy from other agents? Is the cultural bond with the permit holders stronger than any economic benefits? What will low voltage revenue be like in the mass free market? And what about commercial relations?”, listed Zordan. All of these questions are directly linked to customers’ understanding of energy bills.
As they are small cooperatives, where there is more proximity to the consumer, Aneel understood that there is a better possibility to test what relationships between companies and customers will be like.
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“There is trust, interrelationship, intercooperation, but as he is an energy consumer, he will choose the one that suits him best”, he stated.
