Brazil’s Statistical Yearbook of Electrical Energy 2025, prepared by the Energy Research Company (EPE), indicates the country had over 94 million consumption units in December 2024, with approximately 82.9 million classified as residential. Gustavo Franceschini, partner and director of Market Studies at Envol, explains that excluding low-income households and specific situations, the target market ranges between 60 and 70 million consumers. Current smart meter penetration sits between 5 and 6 percent, substantially behind international benchmarks. Australia has achieved relevant adoption levels, while Japan approaches total coverage.
Basic smart meter devices without remote control currently cost between 400 and 500 reais ($70 to $88), with potential price reductions through production economies of scale. These meters record energy consumption and generation at hourly intervals, enabling precise measurement of how much each consumer uses or injects into the grid. The technology represents a structural element for electrical sector modernization rather than merely technological evolution.
Viana advocates for public policies incentivizing national meter manufacturing to reduce costs and strengthen industrial capacity. The potential for reduced import dependence could lower overall deployment expenses while supporting domestic production. As equipment evolves, continuous updates migrate devices toward more modern versions offering enhanced monitoring and control capabilities, similar to other digital technologies requiring periodic functionality upgrades.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
