The Mercado Livre de Energia is a trading environment in the electricity sector in which consumers and producers are free to choose their suppliers and freely negotiate contracts for the purchase and sale of electricity. In this model, the sale of electricity takes place in a more flexible and decentralized way, allowing participants to seek advantageous price, volume and term conditions to meet their energy needs.
In the Free Market, consumers adhere to this model are known as free consumers or free agents, in contrast to captive consumers of the Regulated Market. They are companies or institutions that have a considerable energy demand and have the right to choose their suppliers in the Free Market.
In countries where there is a separation between the Free Market and the Regulated Market, the opening of the Free Market is an important step in the liberalization of the electricity sector. This separation allows consumers and producers to negotiate energy directly, stimulating competition and offering consumers more options.
In addition to producers and consumers, there are trading agents, who act as intermediaries in the Free Energy Market at function of facilitating the negotiation and management of contracts between interested parties.
In the Free Market, energy purchase and sale contracts are more flexible in terms of volume, term and price. This allows consumers to negotiate personalized conditions, such as, for example, long-term or short-term agreements, purchase of energy from specific sources, among other possibilities.
That said, competition between agents in the Free Market tends to result in more competitive prices for electricity. Like this, consumers have the opportunity to search for the best deals that meet their specific needs.
Mercado Livre also opens space for them to choose more sustainable energy sources, such as solar, wind, biomass, among others, according to their preferences and commitments to sustainability.
By opting for the Free Market, consumers assume greater responsibility in managing their energy demand, which includes evaluating and managing risks related to price fluctuations and changes in demand.
The Mercado Livre de Energia works as an electricity trading environment in which consumers and generators can freely negotiate the purchase and sale. In this market, consumers have the possibility to choose their electricity supplier and negotiate prices and contractual conditions directly with generators or energy traders.
In view of this context, to participate in the Free Energy Market, it is necessary that the consumer has a contracted demand equal to or greater than 500 kW. In addition, the consumer must be connected to the electricity distribution network and have an electricity supply contract with a supplier or generator authorized by ANEEL.
In the Free Energy Market, prices are freely defined by supply and demand, that is, the price of electricity may vary according to market availability and demand. In this way, consumers have the possibility to choose the supplier that offers the best contractual conditions and the most competitive prices.
It is important to note that participation in the Free Energy Market offers several advantages, such as the possibility of reducing electricity costs, flexibility in negotiating contracts and choosing renewable energy sources.
The main characteristic of the Regulated Energy Market is that consumers contract the receipt of electricity directly with the local utility company, without the need for intermediation by any other professional or company, in this negotiation. In this contracting environment, there is more extensive regulation in the provision of public distribution services for electricity, where the rights and obligations of the distributors and consumers are further specified. This is why it is referred to as the "Regulated Contracting Environment" for energy. As an example, tariffs, fees, and tariff flags are charged according to rules and fixed values established by ANEEL to be practiced by the Utility.
The possibility of migrating to the Free Energy Market depends on some factors specific to your company, such as the consumption profile, the level of contracted demand and the legislation/regulation in force in the country or region where your company is located.
In many countries, one of the conditions for joining the Free Energy Market is having a contracted demand for electricity equal to or greater than that established by regulatory authorities. this limit diversify in different locations and can be expressed in megawatts (MW) or kilowatts (kW). Your company check the whether it meets this minimum requirement of contracted demand.
In the Free Energy Market, there are different service modalities, such as the Free Contracting Environment (ACL) and the Regulated Contracting Environment (ACR). Migration to the ACL is only possible for consumers who meet the conditions required for that specific environment.
Legislation and regulations related to the Free Energy Market may diversify between different countries or regions. It is important to check the regulations in force in your locality to understand what the requirements and steps for the migration are.
Before deciding to migrate to Mercado Livre, it is essential to carry out a detailed economic analysis. This involves assessing historical energy consumption, current electricity costs, terms of contracts in the regulated market and potential savings in the Free Market. Therefore, a well-founded analysis will be reflected in a relevant decision.
In the Free Market, consumers assume greater responsibility in managing risks associated with the purchase of electricity. It is important that your company is prepared to deal with price volatility and take measures to mitigate risks. That's why, it is recommended the support of consultants specialized in energy to assess the feasibility of the migration and guide your company in the process of migrating to the Free Market.
Your company can purchase electricity through different options, depending on location, size of energy consumption and availability of different energy markets.
In the Regulated Market, also known as the Regulated Contracting Environment (ACR), consumers have their energy supplied by electricity distributors, companies responsible for operating the distribution network in a given concession area. In this model, consumers have regulated tariffs set by government authorities without the possibility to choose your suppliers. They receive energy according to the conditions defined by the distributor.
In the Free Market, also known as the Free Contracting Environment (ACL), consumers are free to choose their electricity suppliers and negotiate purchase and sale contracts directly with generators, traders or other companies in the electricity sector. In this environment, consumers present more flexibility to customize their contracts, negotiate prices, volume and term, and they can opt for renewable energy sources if they wish.
In some regions, governments hold energy auctions, in which generating companies offer electricity sales contracts to consumers. Interested consumers participate in these auctions and purchase energy based on the terms and conditions established in the auction.
Your company too can produce part or all of the energy it consumes through its own generation systems, such as solar panels, wind turbines or other renewable energy sources. Self-production allows your company to reduce dependence on the conventional electricity grid and, in some cases, sell the surplus energy generated back to the grid.
That said, to ensure a strategic and efficient approach to the purchase of energy, hire consultants specialists in energy is a relevant alternative. Therefore, these companies aim to analyze the consumption profile, identify market opportunities and negotiate advantageous contracts for your company.
The Free Energy Market offers several advantages for consumers and producers who choose to participate in this trading environment. One of the main advantages of the Free Energy Market is the possibility of obtaining more competitive prices for electricity. In the Free Market, consumers can negotiate contracts directly with suppliers and take advantage of competition between agents to obtain better offers and personalized conditions for purchasing energy. This allows you to reduce operating costs and improve the predictability of electricity costs.
Yet, Energy purchase and sale contracts are more flexible in terms of volume, term and price. Consumers are free to negotiate tailor-made deals, adapting them to specific needs. This flexibility is especially relevant for companies that can adjust their contracts according to seasonal fluctuations in consumption or changes in production.
The Free Market allows consumers to choose the source of the energy they wish to buy. With this option, companies can choose to purchase electricity from renewable sources, such as solar, wind, biomass and others. This choice, aligned with the company's sustainability policy, help to reduce the environmental impact of its operations.
By participating in the Free Market, consumers have greater autonomy in managing the risks associated with the supply of electricity. They can use financial strategies to hedge against price fluctuations and market uncertainties, minimizing exposure to energy risks.
In the Free Market, consumers also have the option of investing in self-generation systems, such as solar panels or wind turbines, to meet part of their energy needs. Like this, this self-production can generate cost savings and increase the consumer's energy independence.
The electric sector is a complex chain of production, transmission, distribution and commercialization of electric energy. It is responsible for ensuring the supply of electricity for consumption in homes, industries, businesses and public services. To understand how the electricity sector works, it is necessary to understand its main stages:
In this context, the electricity sector is an essential part of modern infrastructure, playing a key role in economic development and people's quality of life. The efficiency and proper functioning of this sector are vital to guarantee the reliable supply of electricity to all segments of society, in addition to promoting sustainability and energy security in the country.
ACR and ACL are acronyms that represent two different environments for contracting electricity in Brazil. These environments are part of the Free Energy Market, on what consumers are free to choose their energy suppliers and negotiate purchase and sale contracts directly with generators, traders or other companies in the electricity sector.
ACR – Regulated Contracting Environment: No ACR, also known as the Regulated Market, consumers are served by electricity distributors, companies responsible for operating the distribution network in a given concession area. In this environment, consumers have regulated tariffs established by government authorities, and energy supply is carried out by distributors based on pre-defined contracts and rules established by sector regulation. The consumers of ACR they do not have the possibility to choose their suppliers and receive energy according to the conditions defined by the distributor.
ACL – Free Contracting Environment: No ACL, Also known as the Free Market, consumers are free to choose their electricity suppliers and negotiate purchase and sale contracts directly with agents in the electricity sector, such as generators and traders. In this environment, consumers have more flexibility to customize their contracts according to their specific needs, negotiate prices, volume and term, and can choose renewable energy sources if they wish. O ACL offers consumers bigger options and opportunities to obtain competitive prices and advantageous conditions in the purchase of electricity.
That way, the migration of ACR for the ACL it is an option for consumers with a considerable contracted demand, who meet the regulatory requirements established for the migration. This change provides consumers with the possibility of accessing more options in the energy market, resulting in financial benefits and the opportunity to purchase energy from sustainable sources. However, it is important to consider the risks associated with contract management and price volatility in the Free Energy Market. That's why, companies interested in migrating to the ACL should carry out a detailed analysis and seek the support of specialized energy consultants to make an informed and strategic decision.
The main advantage for consumers who transition to the Free Energy Market is economic, as the prices practiced in this contracting environment vary, on average, 30% to 40% lower.
Migrating to the Free Energy Market offers several advantages for companies and institutions with an adequate consumption profile and seeking greater flexibility and opportunities in the supply of electricity.
One of the biggest advantages of the Free Market is the possibility of obtaining more competitive prices for electricity. In the Free Market, consumers are free to negotiate contracts directly with generators, traders or other companies in the electricity sector, allowing them to seek advantageous conditions in terms of price, volume and terms. This can result in reduced energy costs and greater predictability in expenses.
In the Free Market, energy purchase and sale contracts are more flexible in terms of volume, term and price. That said, consumers are free to customize their contracts according to their specific needs, being able to negotiate long-term or short-term agreements, adjust the amount of contracted energy according to changes in demand or even purchase energy from renewable sources, if they wish.
The Free Market allows consumers to choose the source of the energy they wish to buy. With this option, companies can choose to purchase electricity from renewable sources, such as solar, wind, biomass and others. This choice it is aligned with the company's sustainability policy and helps to reduce the environmental impact of its operations.
In the Free Market, consumers also have the option of investing in self-generation systems, such as solar panels, wind turbines or other renewable energy sources, to meet part or all of their energy demand. I.e, self-production can generate cost savings and increase consumer energy independence.
By participating in the Free Market, consumers have greater autonomy in managing the risks associated with the purchase of electricity. Can use financial strategies in order to protect against price fluctuations and market uncertainties, minimizing exposure to energy risks.
At Mercado Livre, consumers can monitor their energy consumption and the performance of their contracts in more detail. This provides a clearer view of consumption patterns and helps identify opportunities for energy optimization and efficiency. Consumers are free to choose their electricity suppliers. Therefore, this freedom of choice allows you to establish strategic partnerships with companies that best meet your company's specific needs.
