After several attempts to reach an agreement and meetings with the rectory of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) since June this year, Light interrupted, this Tuesday (12), the supply of electricity to some of the university’s facilities. Units registered with Light as essential, such as health and security services, were spared from suspension to ensure continuity of service to the population.
UFRJ’s total debt to Light amounts to R$31.8 million, referring to invoices due between March and November 2024, in addition to R$3.9 million in unpaid installments from an agreement signed in 2020. At the time, the Light and the UFRJ rectory agreed to pay in installments a debt of R$21.3 million; however, only R$13 million has been paid to date.
UFRJ distributed a note of clarification about the electricity cut in several of the institution’s buildings. Due to budget restrictions, the university has a total debt with the energy company totaling R$31.8 million relating to invoices due between March and November 2024, in addition to R$3.9 million in unpaid installments of an agreement signed in 2020. According to the text, in July 2024, the university received a notification of a cut in electricity supply, but at no point did it refuse to pay the debt, having requested a budget supplement from the Ministry of Education (MEC) .
The institution also clarifies that, during this period, the Federal Attorney’s Office, together with UFRJ, obtained early relief to avoid a cut in supply. The energy company appealed to the Judiciary and overturned the anticipated relief.
After an extensive meeting this Tuesday, which ended without consensus, the energy company began a process of cutting off supplies to 15 UFRJ buildings. The academic and health care activities carried out at UFRJ are essential and the rectory has already adopted measures to reverse this situation as quickly as possible.
