Equatorial acquires 30% stake in Brazil's Copasa for $5.6bn

Equatorial Energia paid R$ 5.59 billion (about $5.6 billion) to purchase 30% of the shares of Minas Gerais water utility Copasa, becoming a major private shareholder in the company. The transaction, finalized after a B3 bell‑ringing ceremony, gave Equatorial control of 114 million shares at R$ 49.03 each, while the state retained a 5% stake and a golden share that preserves veto rights on strategic decisions.

In the same period, Copasa earned second place in the EXAME "Melhores do ESG 2026" awards and improved its standing in several sustainability indexes, including the ISE B3, the Ibovespa, and the Carbon Efficient Index. The utility highlighted its climate‑risk management, the Pró‑Manancia water‑source program affecting 291 municipalities, and investments of more than R$ 188 million in watershed protection.