2023-11-05 23:00:43
With the blackout that impacted more than 2 million people in São Paulo, due to the rain that hit the capital over the weekend, consumers can ask for compensation if they suffered any losses due to the power outage.
Around 1 million addresses are still without electricity in the city of São Paulo. The service is expected to be fully restored by Tuesday 7th.
According to the National Electricity Authority (Enel), the most affected regions were the south and west zones, although there are also reports of power outages in the east and north zones of the capital.
+ Read more news from Brazil in Oeste
Enel claims that it has already normalized the service for around 1 million addresses. “The company is gradually reestablishing the service, giving priority to the most critical cases, such as essential services”, announced the company, this Sunday morning, 5.
Attention, São Paulo!
We continue to work tirelessly to repair the damage caused by the heavy rains and winds that destroyed several sections of the electricity network last Friday (3). ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/PjosvEnEYc
— Enel Brazil (@EnelBrasil) November 5, 2023
How to reimburse the consumer
With a sudden lack of electricity, electronic devices or appliances are prone to being damaged. Furthermore, food stored in refrigerators can be wasted. The solution for residents may be a complaint to the call centerin service stores or on the Enel website.
Individuals must be provided with a CPF, ID or any other document with photo. Legal entities must have the social contract or last amendment, CNPJ, CPF and ID of the partner. Legal representatives must have a power of attorney notarized. It is also important to have robust evidence that the devices were damaged due to the blackout.
Around 11pm on Friday 3rd, in Mooca, east zone of São Paulo, only the public lighting was working | Photo: Yuri Murakami/FotoArena/Estadão Conteúdo
In cases of losses in condominiums, it is necessary to have identification documents, condominium agreement and the minutes of appointment of the property manager at the time of the complaint. Reports must be made within 90 days of the problem on the power grid.
Enel employees will check the electronic device or appliance within 15 calendar days after opening the complaint. In cases of refrigerators that contain perishable food, the deadline is one business day.
Read also: “Rain causes water shortages in São Paulo; see affected regions”
The deadline for a response from Enel is up to 15 calendar days. If it is found that the consumer was harmed by the power outage, the distributor will reimburse the account of the owner of the damaged device.
If the company refuses to bear the loss, the solution may be to file a complaint with the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) or on the consumer.gov.br platform.
How to open a complaint with Aneel and consumer.gov br?
To open a complaint with Aneel, residents can use the virtual assistant on the agency’s website and fill out a form detailing the complaint. Consumers can also use the Aneel Consumidor app (available for Android and iOS) and telephone numbers 167 and 0800-727-0167 (open from Monday to Saturday, from 6:20 am to midnight).
To use consumer.gov.br, you must register on the Gov.br Portal and register a complaint about the energy company’s actions. When registering a complaint, it is necessary to provide personal data and indicate which energy company you wish to complain to.
To register a power outage, we advise you to prioritize digital channels, through the Enel São Paulo app and the website’s virtual agency https://t.co/phZfvgAjx4.
— Enel Brazil (@EnelBrasil) November 5, 2023
Consumers can seek Justice and Procon
Other solutions in cases of non-resolution with Enel SP is to seek the Judiciary. In cases of losses of less than 20 minimum wages, an action must be opened in the Special Civil Court. For higher values, it is necessary to seek common justice.
Residents can also contact the Consumer Protection and Defense Foundation (Procon). Complaints can be made on Procon’s Electronic Channel or telephone number 151. Residents’ demands are responded to within five working days and complaints are registered within 15 working days.
Attention, São Paulo!
The gale that hit São Paulo last Friday (3), accompanied by a strong storm, was the strongest recorded in our concession area in recent years and severely affected the energy distribution network. ➡️ pic.twitter.com/FbJzhEZCob
— Enel Brazil (@EnelBrasil) November 4, 2023
Expert says it is important for consumers to have proof of the damage
According to Jonas Sales, lawyer and director of the Brazilian Institute of Consumer Policy and Law (BrasilCon), consumers do not need to prove that they are not to blame for the damage, but they need to make it clear what the damage was through evidence.
“He has to show that my television is not working or that his refrigerator worked until Thursday”, he explained. Sales. “So, a photo, a record and even a witness. Some way of minimally proving that he was harmed is important.”
In case of a non-response from Enel, Sales recommends that residents contact the Special Civil Court. “They would not have to spend, a priori, on lawyers,” he said. “They can go it alone and file a complaint using a form showing the damage.”
Magazine West, with information from State Agency
#Find #claim #compensation #losses #caused #lack #electricity