Lula’s government wants to free the Batista brothers from paying a fine of more than one billion Brazilian reais – Diário do Poder

Back in Brasilia, the brothers Wesley and Joesley Batista are awaiting advice from the Ministry of Mines and Energy to avoid paying a fine of around one billion reais to Ampar Energia, an arm of the J&F group.

The fine was imposed by the National Electricity Agency (Aneel) after the company failed to comply with an emergency contract signed in 2021. The contract calls for the construction of four thermal power plants to provide energy during the water crisis that affected the country in 2020 and 2021.

The contracted deadline was not respected by Ambar, which prompted Anil to impose a fine on the company.

According to the Uol portal, Minister Alexandre Silveira has ordered technicians from the Ministry of Mines and Energy to find a way to conclude an agreement that would free Ambar Energia from paying the fine in full.

Silveira’s decision contradicts the position of the Union’s Court of Auditors, which took a position contrary to the agreement and voted unanimously to close the case. Since the ministry has the independence to conclude the agreement regardless of the TCU’s position, the ministry decided to continue negotiations.

The report contacted the Ministry of Mines and Energy and Ambar Energy, which did not respond.