Aneel intends to await National Congress definitions on battery cost allocation, postponing the decision until after the sector’s upcoming auctions.
The director of the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel), Agnes da Costa, revealed that the institution prefers to wait for a decision from the Legislative branch regarding the division of costs for battery energy storage systems. The statement was made last Thursday (09/24), during a conversation with estúdio eixos at the ROG.e 2026 event.
The agency’s position is to follow current legislation, but da Costa emphasized that any significant regulatory change would be more beneficial if it occurred after the battery auctions, which are scheduled for December 2 and 4. The central discussion revolves around how the costs of contracting these storage systems will be distributed, with debates focused on a possible exclusive allocation among generators.
Congressional Discussions and Regulatory Future
The regulatory landscape may undergo changes with Bill 3716/2026, authored by federal deputy Arnaldo Jardim (Cidadania/SP), which proposes the repeal of current legislation on the subject. Aneel, in turn, seeks clarity and stability to conduct the bidding processes.
Curtailment and Hydropower Challenges on the Agenda
In addition to the battery issue, the director mentioned other important topics on Aneel‘s regulatory agenda, including curtailment, meaning energy generation cuts. One of the points under discussion is defining the circumstances under which hydroelectric power plants should be compensated for these interruptions.
Agnes da Costa indicated that a public consultation on this matter may be opened later this year, anticipating that it will be a topic of great repercussion and debate among stakeholders in the electric sector.
Budget Cuts Impact Agency’s Work
The director also addressed the challenges faced by Aneel due to budget cuts. According to da Costa, these financial restrictions have limited the agency’s work capabilities. She lamented the loss of potential for making more assertive and intelligent decisions, which could be optimized through broader and more effective data utilization.
