Mais uma trading de energia em crise: Safira chama os credores

Electric energy trading crises continue to unfold, as Safira Group begins mediation proceedings with creditors ahead of potential judicial recovery, according to documents seen by Brazil Journal. The company cites a financial and economic crisis, primarily caused by sharp energy price volatility, reduced market liquidity, and increased costs to reposition contractual positions.

Safira, involved in both trading and generation, comes on the heels of other companies like Tradener, Electra, Diferencial Energia, Elétron, and IBS Energy, which have initiated judicial recovery processes in recent months. While some have gone further, others are undergoing financial restructuring, such as Matrix.

In a statement to clients, Safira aims to "facilitate a consensual and coordinated solution for restructuring obligations." Sources indicate that the company has been preparing for a potential court order, with similar financial difficulties having been rumored in the sector for about a year. The Safira case may be more challenging than others due to its participation in auctions and contracts for regulated distributors, which supply consumer-protected customers.

The National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) has been concerned about the energy trading crisis for months, amid price volatility changes and the transformation of Brazil's electricity matrix, which has seen a significant expansion of intermittent generation sources like wind and solar farms. As financial problems for trading companies have become apparent, major generation groups and banks have decreased their transactions and credit to independent traders, reducing liquidity and exacerbating the situation.