‘Since last Friday’s storm, more than 100,000 homes in São Paulo are still without power. This is the third major blackout suffered by the São Paulo capital in less than a year, and this time thousands of São Paulo residents have been without electricity for five days.
According to Fecomércio-SP, the power outage has already caused losses of at least R$536 million to retailers and more than R$1 billion to services. The company responsible for supplying electricity in São Paulo, Enel, has not yet given a forecast for the return of power to residents.
If you are also suffering losses as a result of the power outage, you should know that consumer protection bodies guarantee a series of rights to protect you in the event of damage; for example, loss of food or burning household appliances. Find out more below:
Blackout in SP: know your rights in the event of a power outage
In the event of a power outage at your home, the first thing you should do is report it on Enel’s channels. If this doesn’t solve the problem, you should file a complaint on the Procon-SP website, or at one of the in-person service points.
In addition, the Consumer Defense Code sets out a series of rights to reduce the material and financial damage that can come with a blackout:
Discount on your electricity bill
You can have the amount proportional to the days without electricity deducted from your bill. If you don’t receive a discount, or if you need advice about it, contact Enel or Procon-SP.
Compensation for lost products
If any food or medicine that needs to be refrigerated spoils during the blackout in São Paulo, you can get compensation. To do this, take photos of what spoiled and your receipts, if any, to prove the loss, and then contact Enel or a consumer protection agency.
Compensation for appliances burnt out as a result of the blackout
If an electronic appliance or household appliance burns out as a result of the power failure, you have up to 90 days to file a claim with Enel ‘s service channels. Enel will inspect the appliance and start the compensation process, but be aware: if you repair the appliance or prevent the company from inspecting it, you may lose your right to compensation.
Immediate action in the case of life-support equipment
Consumers who have vital life-support equipment should inform Enel about it beforehand. This way, they can contact Enel and request immediate measures in the event of a power outage in São Paulo, as well as support in the event of damage to such equipment.