EDP, an energy distributor from the Vale do Paraíba, Alto Tietê and North Coast regions, is investing around R$ 80 million to legalize every illegal connection at homes in its concession area to provide safe, efficient and high quality power to approximately 50 thousand low-income families. The work began in April and will take 24 months.

Guarulhos, Itaquaquecetuba, São José dos Campos, São Sebastião and Caraguatatuba have the largest number of mapped clandestine power connections, although all cities within the operating areas will be included in the program. The work involved will vary at each site, but will include deployment of standardized posts for households not yet connected to the EDP network, a medium-voltage distribution grid, lamppost installations and other technical initiatives needed to conclude the services.

After the services have been concluded in each area, residents will be visited by Good Energy Agents to underline the importance of safe and efficient energy use. Technicians visiting households will provide energy efficiency guidelines and information on the Electrical Energy Social Tariff and explain how to renegotiate outstanding debts with the Company and replace traditional light bulbs for low-power, sustainable LEDs.

Luciano Cavalcante, Executive Manager at EDP, pointed out that a steady power supply is a major step towards regional development and progress and explained that the Distributor’s efforts depend on agreements with local governments, because energy distributors can only operate at sites registered with local authorities. “This ambitious project aims to legalize all the areas mapped by the Company in 24 months. We want everyone to have access to our safe, high quality energy”.

The costs and risks of clandestine connections

According to the Brazilian Association of Electrical Energy (Abradee), clandestine connections are the country’s second highest cause of electricity-related deaths, second only to building maintenance/construction. There were 279 registered deaths between 2009 and 2017. Illegal connections are frequently hazardous and endanger the people who make them, their neighbors and children, exposing them to serious risks, such as electric shock, short-circuit or fire.

Apart from the dangers they pose, these connections also reduce the quality of service for law-abiding customers because they overload the network, leaving the distribution system more prone to power outages and fluctuations.

At these consumers also pay the price because when it sets energy prices in each concession area, the National Electrical Energy Agency (Aneel) also takes into account the amount of energy lost and the costs of identifying and preventing illicit connections. Governments also raise less money from the taxes charged on energy bills and end up investing less on social policies that focus on education, health and safety.

Communication Channels

EDP is asking people to help by reporting clandestine connections. The Distributor has the following customer service channels:

- EDP OnlineWebsite: www.edponline.com.br

- EDP Online App (supported by Android™, iOS and Windows Phone)

- Customer Service Branches (addresses are listed on the EDP website)

- Customer Service Center: 0800 721 0123 (toll-free, 24/7 line).

All reports are completely confidential and inspections are carried out urgently.