Manaus utility Âmbar Energia faces investigation over aluminum wiring

The Public Prosecutor's Office of Amazonas (MPAM) has recommended that Âmbar Energia suspend all public wiring replacement services in Manaus for 30 days. This recommendation follows a civil inquiry into the company's use of aluminum cables in the city's electrical distribution network.

Prosecutors are investigating whether these aluminum cables are technically adequate for the equatorial climate and high temperatures of the Amazon region. The MPAM has demanded that the utility provider submit technical reports, compliance tests, and certificates from official bodies, including Inmetro, to prove adherence to ABNT standards. The company must also provide data regarding any recorded fires, failures, or voltage fluctuations related to these interventions.

Separately, scheduled maintenance and network improvements by the utility provider are expected to cause power outages in various Manaus neighborhoods throughout the weekend, with some interruptions lasting up to 10 hours.