Neoenergia S A : The energy injected increased 11% in the second quarter of 2021, in relation to the same perio ...

​​​Data points to gradual economic recovery. In the second quarter, energy consumption returns to levels similar to those recorded before the health crisis

Amidst the adversities caused by the pandemic, Neoenergia's distributors achieved positive results that demonstrate the market recovery trajectory in their concession areas - Coelba (BA), Celpe (PE), Cosern (PE), Elektro (SP and MS) and Neoenergia Distribuição Brasília (DF). The energy injected increased 11% in the second quarter of 2021, in relation to the same period last year, strongly impacted by the restrictive measures against the coronavirus. The number points to a gradual economic recovery and that, at the current moment, brings the energy consumption to levels similar to those recorded before the health crisis.​​

In this scenario, the company's efforts were aimed at ensuring flexibility and special payment conditions to its 15.6 million customers​​​​​​. In another front, the actions to combat losses, the group recovered 331 GWh, enough to supply 1.8 million inhabitants, more than the population of a capital city like Recife. Recognized by its strong presence in the distribution segment through Coelba, Celpe, Cosern and Elektro, the company took over the management of the concessionaire in the federal capital on March 2, incorporating 1.1 million customers. Adding up this company's customer base, the total increase for Neoenergia was 1.4 million.

The four distributors that were already managed by the group recorded a 23.7% growth in the energy injected from April to June this year, compared to the second quarter of 2020. In the semester's comparison, the percentage was 14.3%. Considering the numbers of Neoenergia Distribuição Brasília, the energy injected in the 2Q21 was 18,702 GWh and, in the first six months of the year, 37,208 GWh, an increase of 6.8% compared to the same period of 2020.

The collection rates are one of the highlights in the results of the five distributors. At Cosern, it was 98.94%; at Elektro, 98.19%; at Coelba, 97.67%; and at Celpe, 97.45%. Considering the first quarter of 2021, Neoenergia Distribuição Brasília showed an index of 95.52%.

To reach these levels, the companies carried out several actions mainly focused on the use of new technologies. Payment is already made easier at Neoenergia by means of online tools made available since last year by Digital Connection (Conexão Digital, in Portuguese) a research and development (R&D) project to modernize processes and customer journeys. It is worth mentioning that the company was the first in the electric sector to offer the option of bill payment through PIX (Brazilian instantaneous means of payment and money transfer). There are also bill delivery services via WhatsApp, auto-reading service, debt negotiation platform, and the possibility to request a new connection in a totally online and automated way.

In the second quarter, 17 million collections were sent via SMS and electronic attendant (IVR Talker, acronym for Interactive Voice Response), in addition to more than 1 million by e-mail. The concessionaires monitored 80 thousand customer installations, in order to avoid losses in the process with fraud or disconnections Systematic actions were aimed at large customers and government agencies.

A new negotiation matrix was also implemented for Neoenergia Distribuição Brasília, standardized with the other companies in the group. In all, in the five concessionaires, negotiations were carried out with 125 thousand consumers, with more than 22 thousand only in the Federal District, reaching approximately R$ 53 million.

The group's distributors carried out actions to combat losses that resulted in the recovery of 331 GWh of energy in the semester, enough to supply 1.8 million inhabitants for a month. In 290 thousand inspections, more than 192 GWh were recovered and 219 thousand obsolete or possibly defective meters were replaced. More than 452 thousand points of public lighting were inspected and 46 thousand clandestine meters were regularized. The distributors also counted on police support in 118 actions.

Elektro and Cosern are still within the regulatory limit considering the total 12 month-losses (index that calculates the ratio between the energy injected and the energy billed, accumulated over 12 months), with 6.78% and 9.55%, respectively. Coelba presented an indicator of 14.85% in 2Q21, consolidating the third consecutive quarter of reduction in the index. At Celpe, it was the second consecutive quarter of drop in losses, recording 16.96%. Neoenergia Distribuição Brasília recorded 12-month losses of 13.86%, 0.17 p.p. below the 1Q21 indicator, which is a reflection of the company's management.