Energy suppliers

The role of E-REDES

E-REDES is the distribution network operator for High and Medium Voltage, by the concession of the State, and Low Voltage, by concessions of local authorities. We have the role of applying, managing, and implementing cases involving access to networks, particularly connection, maintenance/intervention and disconnection.

Under the terms of Decree-Law no. 38/2017, dated 31 March, the OLMC, the Change of Supplier Logistics Operator, is responsible for applying, managing, and implementing the change of supplier, ensuring that this happens under the same conditions for all agents in the market, complying with the procedures and deadlines defined by the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE).

ADENE — The Agency for Energy currently carries out this role for OLMC.

Customers have a free choice of suppliers. Whenever a customer enters into a supply contract with a new supplier, this is the body that is in charge of triggering the necessary procedures for a change of supplier to take place.

The periods for change of supplier were approved by the Energy Services Regulatory Authority through directive No. 15/2018, available at www.erse.pt.
 

See the history of change in supplier reports:

•    from 2013 to 2017;
•    from 2018 inclusive .

Case Flowcharts

The Commercial Relations Regulation (RRC) establishes that the procedures and deadlines to be adopted in the management of the case with the DSO (Distribution System Operator) approved by the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE). 

Regulation
 
The regulation approved by the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE) establishes the principle of verification of compliance with the procedures of change of supplier by carrying out independent auditing through an external entity.

Under the terms approved by ERSE, in 2014 an audit was performed to comply with the rules and procedures relating to the change of supplier. The audit was carried out by Deloitte, focusing on the cases of supplier change that took place between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2014.  

The audit summary report, approved by the ERSE, includes information on the following matters: audit objectives and scope; description of the works undertaken; summary of conclusions and recommendations. E-REDES published its position on the results of the audit.

Electronic Messages

The direct cases with the DSO (Distribution System Operator) for the consumption or production of electricity are supported by a set of electronic messages exchanged between the various agents involved.
See the specification and standardisation of electronic message formats.