At a time when 1.6 million people are without electricity due to storms in the state of São Paulo, the Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, determined this Saturday (12) the installation of a situation room to monitor the work of restoring electricity in São Paulo.
Strong rains and gales reached several cities in the state this Friday (11), causing at least seven deaths.
In a note released to the press, the ministry says that the minister considers that the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) “has failed to monitor” Enel, an energy distributor that operates in São Paulo. According to Silveira, the agency has a duty to demand speed from Enel to guarantee the restoration of energy.
“The agency clearly fails to monitor the energy distributor, since Enel’s history of problems occurs repeatedly in São Paulo and also in other areas of the company’s concession”, says the note.
The ministry also states that Aneel “has not made any progress” in the process that could lead to the end of the company’s concession.
“The MME also clarifies that there is no indication of renewal of the distributor’s concession in São Paulo and that Aneel’s lack of adequate investigation in the case cannot be justified”, added the ministry.
Aneel
In a note, Aneel informed that it is monitoring the case in person in São Paulo and demanded justifications from Enel for the failures in providing the service.
“In the case of Enel-SP, Aneel’s management requested that the inspection area immediately summon the company to present justifications and a proposal for immediate adjustment of the service in light of the incidents recorded yesterday and today, of failure to provide the distribution service”, informed the agency.
Enel
The company stated that power has been restored to 500,000 customers and that 500 generators will be made available to residents of the most critical locations. In addition, two helicopters are being used to check damage to the power grid.
“Immediately, the company activated an emergency plan and around 800 teams (1,600 technicians) are in the field. Throughout the day, the company will mobilize around 2,500 technicians”, he added.
