Portugal and Brazil report growth in liberalized electricity markets

In Portugal, the liberalised electricity market reached about 5.8 million customers in June, a 1.9 % year‑on‑year increase, with consumption rising 3.8 % to an annualised 46,465 GWh. The regulator ERSE said 10,324 new customers joined the market in June, while 70,359 switched suppliers. EDP Comercial remained the dominant retailer, holding 58.4 % of customers and 38.8 % of consumption, though it lost a small share of customers compared with May.

In Brazil, a new survey by Bow‑e (part of the Bolt Group) for NeoFeed found that 72.6 % of respondents would like to choose their electricity supplier from 2028, when the free market is expected to open to residential users. Today the free market serves roughly 85 000 high‑voltage customers, accounting for about R$283 billion in annual turnover. Analysts warn that price‑formation distortions and higher generation costs could limit the expected tariff reductions for households, even after the market opens.

Both reports highlight a growing interest in consumer choice and the potential for a massive expansion of free‑market electricity customers in the coming years.