Aneel proposes Hourly Tariff to reduce value based on time

Soon, a portion of electricity consumers in low voltage will be framed in a new tariff modality: the Right Hour Tariff, in which the value of energy is calculated due to the schedule. The aim is to encourage consumers to use energy at lower peak times.

The proposal, presented on Monday (9) by the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) still needs to obtain the approval of the regulatory agency’s board to be implemented. The theme is expected to be analyzed later this year, to start preparations in 2027 and implement the modality from 2028.

The Hourly Rate is intended for consumers in the low voltage residential (B1), rural (B2) and commercial, industrial and other activities (B3), who consume from 500 kilowatt-hour/month (kWh/month).

The specialist in regulation of Aneel Diego Brancher, explains that the average monthly residential consumption in the country is of the order of 160 kwh and that, therefore, the Right Hour Tariff will benefit large consumers of low voltage. This share is made up of about 5.7 million users.

“The idea is not to reach all low-voltage consumers. It is having a small percentage of these consumers, but that represents a large percentage of the energy market. That is the proposal,” he said.

By the proposal, those who are above the limit of 500 kWh/month will be automatically framed. Those below this limit may join the new tariff at will. Units without proper meter are not framed in the initiative.

In addition, consumers of the Tarifa Social and the Social Discount (People's Light program) will not be part of the Fixed Time Rate, regardless of consumption, as well as public lighting and units with prepayment.

Timeline

Implantation should take place gradually. The timetable proposed by Aneel, from April 2028, will include units with average consumption from 1,800 kWh/month.

In the second phase, from April 2029, it will be the turn of consumers with average consumption from 1,000 kWh/month.

In the third and final stage, which will start from April 2031, units with consumption from 500 kWh/month will be framed.

Time of consumption

Aneel’s specialist explained that the conventional tariff, in force, has a higher cost of generation in the so-called peak time, and lower cost outside it. In other words, in this type of tariff, those who consume outside the tip end up helping pay the cost of those who consume at the tip.

According to Brancher, the Hourly Rate makes this difference visible in the account: in some periods of the day, using electricity will cost less and in others, it will cost more.

“There will be some times that [the cost of energy] is more expensive, which is the peak time, there is the intermediate time that is usually an hour before and after that, and there is what we call off the tip, where the fare is cheaper,” he said.

“So what we’re proposing is for the consumer to start noticing a variation in costs over the hours of the day,” he continued.

Brancher recalled that the electrical system in Brazil has changed in recent years, with the need to use thermal power plants early in the night to supply the demand of the system, which implies an increase in cost.

In addition, with the arrival of wind and solar power plants, there was an increase in energy load during the day, reducing the cost of operation. The conventional rate, however, does not reflect these changes.

“The conventional tariff is no longer neutral. There are consumers who pay more than they cost, and there are consumers who pay less than they cost. Then the Right Time tariff and to see if it corrects this distortion,” he summarized.

Periods of collection

By the proposal, the Right Time Rate will use three charging periods:

peak time, with higher rate, formed by three consecutive hours, usually at the beginning of the night;

Intermediate time, with intermediate value, usually corresponding to the hour before and the hour after the peak; and

off-peak hours, with a lower rate, in the other hours.

On Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays, the value of the off-peak period will be worth without cost variations.

The exact times and amounts charged will not necessarily be the same across the country, as they depend on the rules and tariffs applicable to the distributor responsible for supplying energy to the consumer.

An example is the survey of Aneel, based on data from Cemig Distribuidora, which points out that the kWh is around R$ 0.75 in the period outside the tip, while at peak times it rises to R$ 1.73. At the conventional rate, it costs R $ 0.90.

In this way, those who own some kind of trade or small industry can better adjust their production schedule outside of peak hours, decreasing the amount paid in the light bill.

The same applies to rural properties, with irrigation and water pumping, and to residences.

With this fare modality, two establishments that consume the same amount of energy in the month will be able to pay different amounts: those who concentrate part of the use in the periods of lower fare reduce the bill, and those who use a lot of energy in the most expensive hours pay more.

Transition

In order to assist consumers, the proposal provides for a transitional period during which the consumer will be notified in advance by the distributor.

After that, for three months, he will receive an informative account, with no charge effect, showing the difference in the values of the current rate and the Right Time Rate. The idea is to show the consumer his consumption profile so that he can adjust his routine.

After receiving these three accounts, it will be framed in the Right Time Rate. During this transition period, the consumer may choose to leave the mode. Those who prefer not to adhere to the Fixed Time Rate can request the migration to the temporary flat rate.

The latter has a unique value at any time, higher than the conventional rate. This option will be valid for two years, counted from the beginning of each stage of framing, and will be extinguished in 2033. After this period, the unit will be billed at the Right Time Rate.

Generations

Another important point, the Right Time Rate will also be applied to units with distributed micro or mini generation, such as solar panels. The same rules will be applied, i.e.: units that consume or inject into the network, on average, from 500 kWh/month, calculated in the same window of 12 months will have automatic framing.

“The same rule will apply to new charging stations for electric vehicles for commercial exploitation: since charging is a flexible charge, the hourly price signal also guides these facilities, from the origin, to avoid peak hours.”

In addition, units that adhere to the Electric Power Compensation System with connection request made from 90 days after the publication of the new standard will be included in the Right Time Rate with no option of exit, regardless of consumption.

“The difference has a reason. The exit option exists to protect those who are already connected and have never chosen the way they are charged. Those who install their own generation or a charging station after that date will already invest with knowledge of the rule and can plan the use to take advantage of the lower rate schedules from the beginning. Therefore, the norm provides for a period of 90 days between the publication and the application of this rule,” Aneel said.

 

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