One month before the contract ends, federal government still undecided on Enel Rio, while Aneel demands a position.
With December 9 approaching—a critical date for the future of the Enel Rio concession—the federal government remains in a waiting mode. The National Electricity Agency (Aneel) has already recommended extending the contract for another 30 years, a significant step, but the final decision still hinges on formalization by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME).
The distributor, responsible for supplying power to about 3.1 million properties in 66 municipalities, faces its concession ending without a clear determination of its continuation. The lack of an official stance has generated unease, especially given the implications for consumers and long‑term investment planning.
Aneel Urges Final Decision from MME
In a move underscoring the urgency, Aneel itself sent a letter to the MME highlighting the absence of a formal decision on renewing the Enel Rio concession. The regulatory agency sought clarification on whether any outstanding matters could still be addressed by it, reiterating the recommendation approved by a majority of its board.
The final decision rests with the granting authority, meaning the ultimate word belongs to the federal government. With the deadline now less than a month away, the need for a resolution intensifies to avoid gaps in the delivery of this essential service.
TCU Sets Boundaries for Service Continuity
Meanwhile, the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) has been positioning itself on the continuity of power supply when concessions expire without renewal. According to Decree No. 12,068/2024, the service must be maintained even if the contract lapses.
This means that if Enel Rio does not have its concession renewed, a new concessionaire will be appointed by the granting authority to take over operations temporarily. Extinct or non‑extended concessions will later undergo a bidding process. However, how this transition will be managed and what solution will apply to the concession area from December 10 remain unanswered questions.
Inspection and Indicators Under Review
The decision-making process also involves a detailed analysis of the service quality indicators for Enel Rio. The TCU even directed Aneel to conduct and publish, within 120 days, an inspection on the duration and frequency of supply interruptions.
Although it acknowledged compliance with the economic‑financial and procedural requirements examined, the court made clear that the MME bears responsibility for the final decision based on the available evidence. Enel, in turn, states that it has resolved the core eligibility issues, citing the conclusion and closure of inspections by Aneel without identifying inconsistencies in its indicators.
Investments and Financial Future at Stake
The uncertainty over the concession renewal occurs amid rising investments reported by Enel Rio. In the first nine months of 2026, the distributor injected R$ 1.4 billion into its infrastructure, a 34.3% increase over the same period last year.
However, anonymous sources suggest that the current impasse could affect the company’s access to credit and the cost of financing. The remuneration of investments made near the end of the contract is another critical point to address, with the decree providing compensation for reversible assets that have not yet been amortized or depreciated.
Consumer Concerns and Expectations
In a statement, Enel said it is only awaiting the MME signature to renew the contracts of Enel Rio and Enel Ceará, affirming that both distributors fully meet the necessary requirements. The company also noted that Enel São Paulo meets the agency’s defined indicators and is awaiting the regulator’s position.
On the consumer side, the urgency for a decision is clear. Carlos Faria, president of Anace (National Association of Energy Consumers), stresses the need for long‑term investments and fears that uncertainty will harm service delivery. “It’s also not the time to switch distributors, since Enel has been serving consumers and a change could be traumatic for customers,” he said. The expectation is that the federal government will make a decision soon to ensure energy security and service continuity.