In recent days, a video published by a digital influencer criticizing Cemig (Minas Gerais Energy Company) and which was shared by public figures, such as Senator Cleitinho Azevedo (Republicanos-MG), generated great repercussion on social media.
In the content, it was stated that the concessionaire would be preventing consumers from generating their own energy with photovoltaic systems in Minas Gerais, which was enough to resume an intense debate on the cases of power flow inversion which has been going on for over a year in the State.
However, moments after the video went viral, professionals and media outlets specializing in the electricity sector explained that the information presented did not bring any new facts in relation to what is already happening in Cemig's concession area.
Solar energy banned? Understand the truth behind the video that went viral
Given the repercussions, the Canal Solar spoke with the senator to better understand his vision on solar energy, his political trajectory and the reasons that led him to release the video.
During the conversation, Cleitinho criticized what he considers to be a “lack of transparency from distributors” and stated that he will continue to demand measures to guarantee the growth of the sector in Minas Gerais, one of the states that leads distributed solar generation in Brazil.
The senator also said that DG (distributed generation) must be encouraged through clear and stable public policies, and that it urgently needs to have the of the ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency).
Check out the full interview with Senator Cleitinho Azevedo below:
About your political trajectory and involvement with solar energy. How did your interest in the sector begin?
My interest in solar energy began when I realized that Brazilians, especially those from Minas Gerais, pay some of the most expensive electricity bills in the country.
I have always fought for justice and transparency, and I saw solar energy as an alternative to reduce this dependence on large concessionaires.
Furthermore, Minas Gerais has enormous potential for distributed generation, and nothing is fairer than giving people the right to generate their own energy without bureaucracy and without abuse from distributors.
Minas Gerais is one of the leading states in distributed generation in Brazil. What do you believe can be done to maintain this leading role?
To keep Minas Gerais as a leader in distributed generation, we need public policies that increasingly encourage the use of solar energy.
This means streamlining processes, ensuring a stable regulatory environment and combating any attempt to hinder the expansion of self-generation.
O The government needs to be on the side of the people, ensuring that miners can invest in the sector without fear of sudden changes in the rules of the game.
This week, you shared a video claiming that Cemig was preventing consumers from generating their own energy with photovoltaic systems. What led you to share this content?
The video I shared was motivated by complaints I received from citizens who were being prevented from connecting their photovoltaic systems by Cemig. I always work listening to the population and, when I see injustice, I don't remain silent.
My role as a senator is to demand explanations and transparency, because the people of Minas Gerais have the right to generate their own energy without obstacles created by concessionaires.
After the video went viral, technical clarifications emerged indicating that the information was not entirely accurate. Has your position on the matter changed in any way?
My position remains the same: I defend the citizen's right to generate their own energy without being harmed by unnecessary bureaucracy.
If there was any technical detail in the video that needed to be adjusted, the important thing is that the complaint raised an essential debate about the transparency of dealerships.
The focus remains on ensuring that the population has the right to produce their own energy without being harmed.
Regarding the inversion of power flow, mentioned in the video, how do you see the role of distributors and the Government in this process?
Power flow inversion is a technical issue, but what worries me is that distributors are using this as an excuse to make distributed generation difficult.
The government and Aneel need to ensure that any technical issues are resolved without preventing consumers from accessing solar energy. If there is a need to invest in the electricity grid, this must be done without harming those who have already invested in clean energy.
Do you consider that there is a lack of transparency on the part of concessionaires in relation to the technical limitations for distributed generation?
Yes, there is a clear lack of transparency on the part of dealerships. They often claim technical limitations without providing detailed information or alternative solutions.
Consumers cannot be held hostage by the goodwill of companies, which in many cases see solar energy as a threat to their monopoly. Transparency and dialogue are essential to avoid abuse.
Regarding ANEEL, how have you seen the regulatory body's performance in issues involving flow reversal?
A ANEEL should act more rigorously to ensure that distributors do not create unnecessary barriers to distributed generation.
Unfortunately, in many cases, the agency ends up adopting a stance that favors dealerships more than consumers. Aneel's role must be balanced, ensuring a fair environment for everyone involved in the electricity sector.
Are there any measures you intend to take, either in the legislative sphere or in conjunction with regulatory bodies, to ensure that the growth of solar energy is not harmed in Minas Gerais?
Yes, I am working on initiatives to ensure that solar energy continues to grow in Minas Gerais and in Brazil. I will continue to demand transparency from concessionaires and pressure Aneel to protect consumer rights.
In addition, we are studying legislative measures to prevent bureaucratic barriers from impeding the advancement of distributed generation. My commitment is to the people, not to the interests of large energy companies.
all the content of Canal Solar is protected by copyright law, and partial or total reproduction of this site in any medium is expressly prohibited. If you are interested in collaborating or reusing part of our material, please us by email: [email protected].
An answer
Let the Senator know that CEMIG also invests in solar energy farms, so it is not interested in competition from smaller customers. The company is not interested in investing in actions that reduce the alleged problem of excess energy supply. This type of aberration only happens here in Brazil. It was only a matter of time before the big capitalists did everything they could to monopolize even solar energy generation, preventing citizens from generating their own electricity by building large farms to capture solar energy and resell it to the population.
What will be the next step for the rich and millionaire shareholders of these national and/or multinational companies? Capitalize and monopolize the air we breathe?