The Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) has ordered Aneel to step up oversight of Neoenergia following complaints of communication failures with communities affected by transmission projects.
The Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) has issued a strong recommendation to the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) to intensify its monitoring of Neoenergia‘s regulatory obligations. The measure, made official on September 30, comes in the wake of complaints pointing to transparency and dialogue failures with landowners and local communities impacted by transmission lines in Minas Gerais and Mato Grosso do Sul.
The court deemed the complaint partially well-founded, highlighting not only the alleged irregularities but also delays by the regulatory agency in processing essential documents submitted by the concessionaire. The TCU is now demanding priority in the analysis of a dossier delivered by the company in July 2025, aiming to ensure that social responsibility standards in the energy sector are properly respected.
Impact of Regulatory Standards
At the core of the conflict is compliance with Normative Resolution No. 919/2021, which dictates the procedures for disclosing information and engaging with those affected by infrastructure projects. Municipalities in Minas Gerais such as Coromandel and Monte Carmelo, as well as cities in Mato Grosso do Sul, alleged a lack of participation in public hearings.
In an official statement, Neoenergia rejected the accusations and reaffirmed its commitment to current legislation. The company maintains that access to the areas was secured through direct agreements or supported by judicial decisions favoring the public interest.
Access to the areas required for the implementation of the project took place through agreements signed with landowners or based on preliminary injunctions granted by the Judiciary in land-related lawsuits. These took into account the public interest involved in the expansion of the energy transmission system.
Developments and Next Steps
Despite demands for stricter oversight, the TCU denied the request to suspend the works. Regarding the project in Minas Gerais, the court noted that the facility is already in commercial operation, rendering the injunction request obsolete. As for the projects in Mato Grosso do Sul, the court concluded that halting construction would pose disproportionate risks to the national power system.
The oversight body emphasized that although the Declaration of Public Utility (DUP) does not require prior proof of communication, Aneel holds the authority and duty to verify these practices at any time. The TCU will continue to monitor compliance with the recommendations through a specific proceeding, ensuring that the social impacts of the power grid expansion are mitigated with appropriate technical and institutional transparency.
