Procon Carioca notified the energy distribution concessionaire Light this Monday (5) after residents of the neighborhoods of Leme and Copacabana, in Rio de Janeiro, remained without electricity supply for more than 48 hours. The company will have 24 hours, under penalty of fine, to present detailed clarifications on the restoration of the service, in addition to an action plan and compensation for harmed consumers.
In some areas, power returned this Monday, but many places remain without service. Due to the lack of power, residents of both neighborhoods staged a “panelaço” on Sunday night asking for the power to return.
Among the measures required by Procon Carioca are compensation for food losses, damage to household appliances and proportional reductions in energy bills. The notification comes after the receipt of several complaints that indicate a serious and repeated failure in the provision of an essential service, without adequate communication, without a clear resolution schedule and without any immediate action to mitigate losses to the population, conduct that directly violates the Consumer Protection Code.
Procon Carioca emphasizes that electricity is an essential service for everyday life, and prolonged interruption generates severe impacts, such as loss of perishable food, burning of appliances, communication difficulties, increased feelings of insecurity and significant financial losses to local businesses.
“Electricity supply is an essential service and cannot be interrupted for more than 48 hours without clear explanations, without planning and without respect for the consumer. Light needs to assume its responsibility, provide transparent information and fully compensate the population for the losses caused. Procon Carioca will act rigorously to ensure that consumers’ rights are respected”, said the municipal secretary of Consumer Protection and Defense, João Pires.
The agency also highlights the lack of transparency from the concessionaire during the period of interruption, because the company did not provide clear information about the causes of the blackout. Furthermore, the Military Police reported that they had not been called into account of incidents of cable theft in the region, which raises questions about the security management of the electrical infrastructure and the company’s communication with public bodies.
The power outage in the neighborhoods of Leme and Copacabana began around 5pm last Saturday (3). The case began to be monitored by the Public Defender’s Office of Rio (DPRJ) this Sunday morning (4), when residents reported the total interruption of service. According to the Public Defender’s Office, after contact between the Consumer Protection Center (Nudecon) and Light, the forecast was that the service would be reestablished by 12pm this Sunday, which ended up not happening. In protest, residents held potlucks on the balconies of their buildings on Sunday night.
Action
The Public Defender’s Office of the State of Rio de Janeiro (DPRJ) filed, this Monday morning (5), a Public Civil Action to demand the immediate restoration of the service. The measure was taken during the day shift, given the persistent interruption of an essential service and the repeated non-compliance with the deadlines informed by the concessionaire.
The Defender’s Office’s work began on Sunday morning (4), around 9 am, when residents of both locations contacted the institution reporting a total interruption in the electricity supply. Sensitive to the seriousness of the situation, DPRJ, through the Consumer Protection Center (Nudecon), contacted Light’s service channels to seek clarification and action.
Light reported that the service would be completed on Sunday, but did not provide any feedback to the Public Defender’s Office. Given the silence, DPRJ sent a formal letter to the concessionaire demanding explanations and urgent measures to restore power or, in a subsidiary manner, the installation of generators in the affected areas. Only at night did Light respond, informing that the service would be fully restored by 9pm on Sunday. Even so, until 11 am this Monday, most points remained without electricity, and the few areas served suffered from precarious service provision.
With the continuity of failures and the repeated failure to comply with the deadlines presented, the Public Defender’s Office decided to appeal to the Judiciary to ensure the population’s right to a regular supply of electricity.
The losses caused by the interruption of service affect residents and businesses in the region. Owner of a bakery in the neighborhood, Shelley de Botton reports significant losses.
“We’ve been without electricity since Saturday afternoon. I had to close the establishment on Saturday and haven’t been able to reopen yet. It’s been three days without revenue. I also supply bread to other restaurants and I’m unable to serve my customers, legal entities. I can’t even open the store, and production is at a standstill, because the equipment can’t be turned on,” he said on Monday afternoon.
In residential buildings, the impacts are also serious. Building manager Clarice Peixoto, from the Copal Building, describes the insecure situation faced by residents.
“We spent two days with the entrance gates without power, therefore, unable to open or close. The night watchman was apprehensive and scared. Furthermore, we have three elevators that cannot be turned on. Many residents are unable to leave their homes”, he reported.
In a note, the Public Defender’s Office reinforces that the supply of electricity is an essential service and that its prolonged interruption, without adequate response from the concessionaire, violates basic consumer rights. “Public Civil Action seeks to guarantee an immediate solution for the affected population and prevent similar situations from occurring again.”
THE Brazil Agency contacted the Light concessionaire and is awaiting a position on when the situation will return to normal and the reasons for the service interruption.
