Aneel has authorized an R$ 308 million injection to ensure fuel stocks for thermal power plants in the Amazon, aiming to secure electricity supply during the severe drought predicted for 2026.
The National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) formalized a strategic preventive measure for the Brazilian electricity sector this Tuesday. In a unanimous decision, the agency approved the advance payment of R$ 308.4 million intended for building fuel reserves for thermal power plants located in the isolated systems of the state of Amazonas.
This move aims to mitigate supply risks amid a severe drought projected for the 2026-2027 period. With a probability exceeding 90% of a high-intensity El Niño climate event occurring, the regulation anticipates the necessary logistics to maintain operational security in the region.
Financial and logistical operation
The decision partially addresses the requests from companies Aggreko, Powertech, and Oliveira Energia. In total, 42.4 million liters of fuel will be made available. The rapporteur for the matter, director Willamy Moreira Frota, stipulated that payments will be made directly to suppliers upon presentation of invoices, ensuring greater transparency and control over the use of funds from the Fuel Consumption Account (CCC).
This is a financial operation, a temporal shift of cash flow, and not a new cost to the consumer, as the fuel consumed in generation would be reimbursed by the CCC anyway.
The Electric Energy Commercialization Chamber (CCEE) will be responsible for managing the payments, with a deadline for submitting proof set for September 18. The advanced amounts must be repaid to the CCC by the generators in five monthly installments, duly adjusted by the IPCA, starting in October 2026.
Limitations and next steps
While approving the fuel advance, Aneel opted not to include extraordinary costs related to freight and complex logistics, such as barge rentals, in the current decision. According to the rapporteur, these additional expenses require deeper analysis and specific authorization from the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) and the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE).
The measure is seen as a prudent step to protect the electricity sector’s cash flow. According to CCEE projections, this financial advance does not drastically alter the balance of sectoral accounts. On the contrary, efficient management of fund flows aids the long-term sustainability of operations, ensuring that energy reaches isolated systems even in the face of extreme climatic adversities.
