Bento says that BRL 2.4 billion will pay for a discount on the electricity bill of those who saved

Minister Bento Albuquerque (Mines and Energy) said this Thursday (20) that a total of R$ 2.4 billion will be allocated to discount the electricity bill of consumers who, between September and December, made a voluntary reduction in the use of electricity. energy. The bonus will be deducted from the January accounts.

“In January, energy distributors will deposit R$ 2.4 billion in consumer accounts. Resources from consumers who have made voluntary energy savings of at least 10%; President, R$ 2.4 billion in the 40 % of Brazilian consumers. Automatically on the account, it will be deducted from the consumer’s account”, said the minister, during the traditional weekly live of President Jair Bolsonaro (PL).

“This was also fundamental for us to overcome the challenge of water scarcity that we had, of the drought that we had in the country”, said Bento.

As part of the fight against the water crisis, the Incentive Program for the Voluntary Reduction of Electricity Consumption ran from September until the end of 2021 and granted a bonus of R$50 for every 100 kWh reduced. The economy, however, was restricted to a range that varies between 10% and 20%

Whoever is below does not receive the prize and whoever exceeds will be paid by the ceiling.

At the time of release, the program generated criticism. For the former director of the ONS (National Electric System Operator) Luiz Eduardo Barata, “voluntary reduction of residential consumers does not exist”. For him, either “do something compulsory or the economy will be poor.”

Furthermore, as in practice the gains and losses are shared by all consumers, in the end, even those who do not make savings through the program end up benefiting.