The Brazilian National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) has publicly criticized the electric utility company Enel for its insufficient response during a significant blackout in December 2025, which left more than 2 million residents in metropolitan São Paulo without electricity. The blackout was exacerbated by an unprecedented windstorm that hit the capital, resulting in wind gusts reaching up to 98 km/h. The report released by Aneel highlighted several failures in the company's crisis management during this event, which prompted a formal investigation into their actions.

Aneel's technical note, released on December 11, evaluated the company’s operational productivity during the blackout. Despite Enel deploying over 1,500 teams to handle power outages, the assessment revealed a troubling percentage of these teams were rarely engaged in ongoing emergency responses. Additionally, there were notable decreases in operational strength during the night and early morning hours, suggesting inadequate staffing when incidents required immediate attention. With limited large-capacity vehicles available, the response efforts were hampered further.

The implications of these findings are significant for both Enel and the residents of São Paulo. The lack of proper response to such a major electrical failure raises serious questions about the company’s preparedness and efficiency in handling emergencies. If Enel is unable to rectify these issues, it may face regulatory repercussions as well as loss of public trust, especially in light of its crucial role in ensuring the power supply for millions of residents across the metropolis. As a result, there is an urgent need for both systemic improvements and transparency from Enel regarding their operational protocols during crises to prevent future incidents.