Application of the red flag level 2 increases the cost of the electricity bill in December, but the method of generating clean and renewable energy can be an alternative by reducing expenses by up to 18%

As if the hole caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in the pockets of the Minas Gerais business community was not enough, the year 2020 is coming to an end, leaving another bitter taste in the electricity bill. Since last Tuesday (1st), the level 2 red flag system is already in effect, responsible for the additional cost of R$ 6,243 for every 100 kilowatt-hours consumed on the energy bill. The role of Distributed Generation in this advent will be possible to check in the next paragraphs.

According to a statement issued by the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel), the drop in the level of storage in the hydroelectric reservoirs and the resumption of energy consumption, caused by the return of commercial activities across the country, led to the review of the decision that initially envisaged the maintenance of the green flag until the 31st of December.

The measure, which affects all Brazilians, will have an even greater weight on the balance sheet of merchants, as in addition to using electricity as a driving force for their businesses, their finances were deeply impacted by the restrictive measures of social distancing.

On an upward curve in Brazil, especially in Minas Gerais, which has stood out as an exponent in the implementation of photovoltaic power plants (UFV's), Distributed Generation (GD) presents itself as an interesting modality for reducing the costs of electricity potentiated by the Red Flag and also contributes to the sustainability of the planet .

According to the commercial director of Empresa Mineira de Geração Distribuida (EMGD), Cristiano Piroli, customers who use the company's services can reduce their electricity bill costs by up to 18%, compared to the traditional form of consumption. In addition to savings, the director highlights other facilities for joining: “It is not necessary to install equipment in the client's property, he does not pay membership or maintenance fees, and is still free of loyalty”, he guarantees.

Also according to Cristiano, the service meets the specific needs of each one and, by calculating the average consumption of the customer over the last few months, it is possible to measure the energy quota needed to compensate for its consumption with the concessionaire - in the case of EMGD , the service only occurs at facilities served by Cemig.

The capture of solar energy takes place in remote photovoltaic plants (UFV'S), implanted in strategically planned locations to achieve the maximum possible efficiency. “Suppose that the owner of a dental clinic has an average energy bill of BRL 5.000. From the moment of contracting the EMGD plan, the solar quota rented by him will compensate his consumption with Cemig, leaving the customer only to pay his monthly electricity bill which, in the exemplified case, will cost around R$ 4.100, that is, annual savings of approximately R$ 11”, he details.

Added to the economic benefits is the ecological contribution of this energy matrix, which will allow the client company, in addition to generating its own energy, to collaborate with the environment and amortize the costs of the Red Flag. “Leasing a quota capable of generating 5.000 kWh/month manages to reduce, per year, approximately 1,4 tons of CO2, the equivalent of planting 11 trees”, celebrates Cristiano.

With the high demand recorded for joining the modality, EMGD is working on its expansion throughout Minas Gerais and expects to install 24 photovoltaic plants in more than 20 municipalities in Minas Gerais in the next three years.