Ambar Energia regulatory and labor investigations

Ambar Energia Amazonas S.A. has faced legal and regulatory scrutiny regarding its operations in Manaus. Initially, the company reached an R$ 800,000 settlement with the Labor Public Ministry to resolve allegations of severe labor irregularities, including employees working shifts of up to 23 hours without adequate rest or meal intervals.

Following this, the Amazonas Public Prosecutor's Office (MPAM) opened a civil inquiry into the company’s use of aluminum cables in the city’s power distribution network. Due to consumer reports of short circuits, voltage fluctuations, and power outages, prosecutors recommended a 30-day suspension of all electrical wiring replacement services. This recommendation seeks to facilitate a technical analysis of whether the aluminum materials are suitable for the Amazon region’s climate and to ensure compliance with safety and technical standards.

As part of the investigation, the MPAM has demanded that the utility provider submit technical reports, compliance tests, and certificates from official bodies, such as Inmetro, to prove adherence to ABNT standards. The company is also required to provide data regarding any recorded fires, failures, or voltage fluctuations related to these interventions. Separately, the utility has scheduled maintenance and network improvements that are expected to cause power outages in various Manaus neighborhoods, with some interruptions lasting up to 10 hours.