Arena da Amazônia has power cut due to non-payment of bills

Stadium of the match between England and Italy for the first phase of the 2014 World Cup, Arena da Amazônia, in Manaus (AM), had its electricity cut off by Amazonas Energia this Tuesday (24th) due to non-payment of bills.

According to a statement from the concessionaire, the arena’s total debt is R$ 39 million. The cut also affects the Amadeu Teixeira Arena, a multi-sport gym next to the stadium, where, for example, indoor football championship matches are held.

Faar (Fundação Amazonas de Alto Rendimento), which manages the arenas and is linked to the state government, says in a note that it has been negotiating the settlement of the debt with Amazonas Energia since 2022.

The foundation also says that most of the liabilities were acquired in previous administrations by the government. “Faar seeks an agreement for pending issues, including considering the accumulated debts that Amazonas Energia has with the State, higher than those owed by the foundation”, says the note.

Faar declares that it has already paid part of the debt and “remains open to new negotiations with the company”. The foundation did not inform which events are compromised by the lack of energy in the Arena da Amazônia.

It is scheduled for this Saturday (28), at 8 pm, a match between Nacional and Rio Negro for the first phase of the Amazon championship.

Amazonas Energia claims that the power cut occurred after attempts at friendly negotiation and prior notification. The company also said that the suspension of energy supply occurred because they are consumer units providing non-essential services, as provided by law, according to the concessionaire.

According to the company, events were held at Arena da Amazônia in 2022, but without paying energy bills.

“Arena da Amazônia, throughout 2022, accumulated a series of events held, moving the place again and filling the stadium with people without, however, promoting the payment of monthly electricity bills, accumulating debts month by month” , pointed out the concessionaire.

Arena da Amazônia was one of the stadiums built for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, at a cost of R$669 million, funds paid by the government of Amazonas and financing from BNDES (National Bank for Economic and Social Development).