Councils and Collegiate Bodies

Electricity Consumer Councils were established by Law No. 8,631/93, which required public service concessionaires to create participatory entities within their concession areas. Decree No. 2,335/97 established that the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) was responsible for encouraging the organisation of Consumer Councils.

The Councils are advisory bodies without legal personality, composed of representatives from the main categories of consumer units (residential, rural, public authorities, commercial, and industrial), with the responsibility of expressing opinions on matters related to the provision of public electricity services, as defined by ANEEL in Regulatory Resolution No. 963/2021 (in portuguese).

Councillors must be appointed by representative entities to serve four-year terms, renewable upon expiry. Participation in the Council is voluntary and does not entitle members to remuneration.

Among their responsibilities, the Councils must also formally express opinions regarding electricity tariffs and the quality of electricity supply provided by each distribution company, as well as inform society about the rights and duties associated with contracting the service.

Learn more under “Consumers” and “Consumer Councils” (in portuguese).