The wider picture
Roraima had long faced a fragile electricity supply marked by frequent blackouts and interruptions before connecting to the national grid. This connection, established in September 2025, was anticipated to enhance the reliability of electricity supply in the region. However, recent developments have raised concerns among consumers regarding the cost of electricity.
Following the interconnection, consumers in Roraima reported a staggering 24% increase in their electricity bills. For instance, the electric bill for December 2024 reached 2000.00, a significant jump from the previous month’s bill of 956.00. This sharp rise has led to an investigation into the National Grid, as residents seek explanations for the unexpected surge in costs.
Cathy Ward, a local resident, expressed her frustration, stating, “I think it might be time to have National Grid come to Nantucket and explain why there are so many high bills.” This sentiment reflects a growing discontent among consumers who feel burdened by the increased tariffs.
Despite the higher bills, the connection to the national grid has resulted in improved reliability of electricity supply. Before the interconnection, Roraima recorded 243 disturbances with load shedding between January 1 and September 10, 2025. In contrast, after the connection, there were only 23 disturbances from September 11, 2025, to February 28, 2026, none of which led to an outage. This improvement has been welcomed by residents, but the financial implications remain a pressing issue.
Officials have noted that while electricity purchases have become cheaper for consumers since the interconnection, the overall tariff increase approved by ANEEL stands at 24.12%. This has raised questions about the sustainability of energy security in the region, as Maria Conceição de Sant’Ana Barros Escobar pointedly remarked, “Energy security should not come with a tariff shock of this magnitude.”
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact reasons for the high electric bills reported by customers. Furthermore, the future of electricity imports from Venezuela is still under review and uncertain, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
As the investigation unfolds, observers are keen to see how the National Grid will address these concerns and what measures will be implemented to ensure that consumers are not disproportionately affected by rising costs. The outcome of this inquiry could have significant implications for energy policy and consumer protection in Roraima and beyond.
