This coming Saturday, 4 July 2026, the new average tariff adjustment of 10.18% on the cost of electricity comes into force for the more than 8.9 million customers served by ENEL in São Paulo. The annual increase, approved by the board of the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) on 30 June, sets out steep rises: 9.02% for ordinary residential consumers, 15.00% for high-voltage industrial customers and 8.97% for low- and medium-voltage consumers, the category into which the common-area consumption of residential and commercial condominiums falls. Although it looks like the least affected segment on paper, this increase will have a major impact on the coffers of condominiums across Greater São Paulo.

The real problem is that electricity expenses in common areas are constant and silent. The uninterrupted running of lifts, water pumps, digital entry systems, monitoring systems and extensive lighting in car parks and corridors drains resources every second of the day. An increase of almost 9% in medium voltage represents an immediate financial blow to buildings' monthly cash flow. As the vast majority of condominiums operate on extremely tight budgets, they lack sufficient reserves to absorb this sudden swing without resorting to emergency extra levies, inevitably sparking conflict at general meetings.

The inevitable knock-on effect on condominium fees and the spectre of arrears

To gauge the true severity of this scenario, it is worth looking at the cost of living for residents of the São Paulo capital. Data compiled by Data Lello shows that São Paulo residents already pay out, on average, a striking R$1,085 a month in condominium fees alone, equivalent to an annual cost of more than R$13,000 per housing unit. This level, already around 28% above the average for the South-East region itself, is driven by expenses that lie outside the property manager's control. According to the 2025 Condominium Census, roughly 22% of the fixed costs charged to residents goes on essential water, gas and electricity expenses. Given this rigid structure, any rise in ENEL's electricity bill throws the whole equation off balance and forces an immediate increase in the fee charged to each resident.

This forced price rise has a direct impact on arrears. At the close of the previous year, the default rate in São Paulo had already reached an alarming 11.77%, driven by a strained macroeconomic backdrop. Raising condominium fees to cover ENEL-SP's adjustment is the perfect trigger for further late payments. This creates a dangerous vicious cycle for the development: lower cash collection, cuts to essential preventive maintenance investment and, ultimately, the need to pass the financial shortfall on to residents who continue to pay on time, eroding everyone's asset value.

The urgent need for smart alternatives to stop the financial haemorrhage

Remaining dependent on conventional supply from the local distributor has become poor administrative strategy. With continuous annual adjustments running at more than double the inflation rate measured by the IPCA, São Paulo condominiums can no longer accept inflated tariffs and volatility. The shift to new energy efficiency models is no longer just a theoretical sustainability agenda item — it has become an indispensable tool for financial survival. Innovative solutions that shield the budget are now essential.

The definitive way to break this cycle of increases and guarantee complete budget predictability lies in switching to clean energy by subscription with NewSun Energy. This innovative remote generation model allows the condominium to secure real discounts on its bills without having to clear the usual hurdles: there is no need to approve complex works, no physical installation of solar panels on rooftops, and no upfront capital investment required. It is the perfect shield against tariff flags and suppliers' annual adjustments.

You, as property manager, lose more money with every year that passes. This year you'll lose 10% more than last year. But we're not here just to show you how much you've already left on the table. Our clients with your profile as a property manager are already saving up to 30% on their electricity bill.

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