Over the next three years, Enel will invest approximately R$25.3 billion in its operations in Brazil. Of this total, R$24 billion will be directed to the energy distribution sector. This represents a 62% increase compared to the previous plan. The funds will be allocated to distributors in the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Ceará, reinforcing the company's presence and the infrastructure of the electricity grid in these regions.

Investments are made hand in hand with a structured operational plan, implemented to provide an efficient and definitive response to the risks posed by extreme weather events. They will therefore contribute to the overall strengthening and modernization of networks, which is essential to guarantee their resilience in any adverse situation. 

Among the measures incorporated in the plan are:

• Reinforcement of field teams according to weather forecasts (including the mobilization of technicians from other states and countries);
• Hiring our own electricians;
• Increase in the generator fleet;
• Expansion of service channels.

Responding to the challenge of climate change

In the state of São Paulo, which has been severely affected by climate crises, around R$10.4 billion will be invested, with a focus on strengthening, digitalizing and expanding the distribution network. 

According to Antonio Scala, CEO of Enel Brasil, priority will also be given to developing measures and solutions that speed up the restoration of energy, especially in situations of extreme weather events.

The capital of São Paulo also hosted a pilot project that reinforced the automation of three neighborhoods that already have remote energy management. In a short time, the project will provide valuable data and information that will contribute to understanding the level of automation needed to reinforce the resilience of critical neighborhoods.

The state of Rio de Janeiro, in turn, has seen the positive impact of self-healing technology – a circuit self-recovery technology under the command of artificial intelligence capable of restoring the network after detecting faults and defects. Last year alone, the system prevented around half a million people from having their power supply interrupted.

Obstructions caused by fallen trees and branches on the power lines also pose a challenge to the company. In the state of Rio de Janeiro alone, around 500,000 prunings were carried out last year, while the São Paulo concession area saw another 600,000 prunings carried out. Enel, together with municipal governments, has committed to minimizing the impact caused by fallen trees on the power grid.

Summer plan innovations

Part of the effort for the coming years is the digitalization of electricity grids, which increases their resilience to combat the impact of climatic and operational adversities. Measures include:

• Network automation: systems that promote automatic reconnection in cases of interruption, reducing the impact on customers;
• Climate pre-alert: partnership with Climatempo, since improving the forecast of climate events is essential for efficient action and minimizing negative impacts;
• Hiring: with more than 5,000 new hires expected by 2026, the three states in which the company operates will receive reinforcements for their operations;
• Preventive pruning: the intensification of pruning services has been mitigating the adverse effects of climate events in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Ceará;
• Self-healing: technology that allows the network to be automatically restored after failures, minimizing the time of shortages;
• Smart metering: equipment such as smart meters , which automatically notify when there is a service interruption, make all the difference in solving problems and also contribute to the efficient management of electricity consumption. The concession area of ​​São Paulo, with 1.2 million smart meters installed, is currently the largest smart metering park in the country;
• Expansion of the generator fleet: the provision of generators, with a focus on critical and vital customers, is essential to guarantee the health and well-being of the population. Today, there are around 900 pieces of equipment available for crisis situations;
• Implementation of mobile substations for critical points: with a focus on strengthening critical areas, mobile substations help to minimize the negative impact caused by adverse situations, even in the most severely affected and difficult-to-access regions.

Positive impacts

Antonio Scala also highlights that the initiatives have already significantly reduced the average time to serve customers. In November, the shortest service time in the last three years was recorded. “We are accelerating investments to offer a more modern and resilient network, aligned with the climate demands and the country's growth,” said the executive.

With this initiative and the daily work of thousands of electricians and managers, Enel reinforces its commitment to ensuring a safer and more efficient energy supply for millions of Brazilians.