Brazil Bets Big on Smart Meters to Power Energy Future

Smart meters mandated nationwide by 2035, reshaping Brazil’s energy grid and boosting efficiency.

24 Jun 2025

Brazil has taken a significant step towards modernising its electricity sector. In June, the government announced that all homes and businesses must be fitted with smart electricity meters by 2035. The regulation, Portaria Normativa No. 111/2025, will require utilities to retire ageing infrastructure and install digital systems capable of real-time monitoring.

For consumers, the shift promises greater control over energy use. Utilities, meanwhile, are expected to benefit from lower transmission losses, reduced theft and more reliable service. Officials argue that the upgrade will help Brazil integrate more renewable energy into its grid, which has struggled to keep pace with the growth of solar and wind power.

Larger utilities such as Neoenergia and CPFL Energia, which have already begun smart meter deployments in select areas, must now scale up their efforts. Technology suppliers like Landis+Gyr are likely to gain from the surge in demand for smart devices and energy management tools. Industry analysts expect significant investment in grid infrastructure over the coming decade.

“This is more than a tech upgrade, it is a turning point for energy efficiency and consumer empowerment,” said Paulo Pedrosa, president of a major energy-industry association.

But the transition may not be smooth. Smaller utilities could face difficulty financing the rollout. There are also fears that the cost of the new meters will be passed on to consumers. Regulators have promised to oversee the process closely and impose regular progress checks.

The move places Brazil among a growing number of countries seeking to digitalise their power grids. If managed well, the policy could make the system more efficient, transparent and resilient. Yet delivering these gains will require careful regulation and, above all, the political will to keep the lights on while changing how they are measured.