Rio Grande do Sul consumers report massive electricity bill increases

Consumers in Rio Grande do Sul are reporting significant increases in electricity bills from the concessionaire CPFL RGE, with some residents claiming hikes of up to 340%. While a 14.97% average tariff adjustment approved by Aneel and seasonal winter consumption are factors, many users report charges that appear disproportionate to their historical usage.

In response, Procon de Canela is advising residents to formalize complaints to allow for individual analysis and potential referral to the utility provider. Legal experts note that while winter usage and tariff adjustments explain some rises, the bureaucracy involved in contesting bills can be slow, often forcing consumers to pay disputed amounts to avoid service disconnection.

Separately, the state regulatory agency Agergs has upheld a fine of approximately R$ 9.7 million against RGE Sul Distribuidora de Energia. The penalty stems from failures in the company’s response to a major storm in January 2024, where investigators found insufficient evidence of a structured contingency plan or specific emergency training for its teams.