Economic and regulatory feasibility analysis for creation of an electricity con-sumer cooperative - the case of brazilian electricity sector in the second dec-ade of the century XXI

Abstract

The Brazilian electric sector has been facing problems in recent years to accommodate the growing demand for energy with hydrological and economic constraints. In this scenario, the government (as the main regulatory economic agent) is taking decisions aimed primarily to ensure energy supply stability to the country. However, these actions while solving important problems for the regulated market and consequently the population, also generate indirect impacts on the free energy market. Complementarily to existing marketing models, this study evaluates the feasibility of a consumer cooperative implementation model for the electricity trade in the Brazilian free market as a way to mitigate risk and reduce restrictions for small and medium consumers. Therefore, in addition to a biographical review of the applicable concepts, real data on electricity prices, consumption and future demand are explored. Thus, it was concluded that the creation of an electricity consumer cooperative (for the current Brazilian scene - XXI century) is viable from both economic and regulatory points of view and can offer various services to guarantee supply and cost reduction to its members.