Gas Rates Change: Redefining the Update System and Its Impact on Bills

The Government has introduced a change in the mechanism for updating natural gas rates for residential users. Starting from the rate schedules of August 2026, distributors will have to recalculate the so-called Accumulated Daily Differences (DDA) every two months, a component that reflects the difference between the estimated gas price and the actual amount paid to producers.

The measure was formalized through Resolution 167/2026 from the Secretariat of Energy and will remain in effect as long as the energy emergency lasts, extended until December 31, 2027.

What Changes with the New System

Until now, the DDA were updated seasonally, meaning twice a year. This scheme caused distributors to accumulate differences between the expected price and the actual cost of gas over several months, later transferring those amounts to the bills in a single adjustment.

With the new resolution, these differences will be calculated and incorporated every two months, allowing for corrections to be distributed over shorter periods and reducing the impact of concentrated increases.

From the energy sector, it is explained that the DDA mechanism does not change, only the frequency with which these differences appear on the bills.

What Are Accumulated Daily Differences

The DDAs arise because the price of gas at the Point of Entry to the Transport System (PIST), used as a reference for setting rates, is initially established based on estimates.

As months go by, distributors end up paying amounts that may differ from that initial projection.

Law 24.076 and its Regulatory Decree 1.738/92 establish that these differences must be passed on to users without generating extraordinary profits or losses for the distributing companies, which is why this adjustment mechanism exists.

Why the Government Modified the Frequency

According to the Secretariat of Energy, the previous system generated a "double seasonal effect", especially during winter.

During that time, two factors coincided. One is the increased gas consumption due to low temperatures, and the other is the increase in wholesale fuel prices.

As the differences accumulated over several months before being transferred to the bills, the bills recorded more pronounced increases when the adjustment time came.

With the new bimonthly scheme, these corrections will be more frequent but of smaller magnitude. The resolution states that the goal is to provide greater gradualness and predictability to users, in addition to ensuring that distributors have sufficient resources to face the purchase of gas and ensure supply.

When It Will Be Implemented and How It Will Impact Bills

The implementation will be the responsibility of the National Gas and Electricity Regulatory Entity, which will have to adapt the tariff procedures to implement the new mechanism.

The first application will be with the rate schedules of August 2026, when the initial determination of the Accumulated Daily Differences under the new system will also take place.

The change does not imply an immediate reduction in the price of gas or an automatic decrease in bills. Its goal is for the differences between the estimated cost and the actual cost of supply to be distributed in smaller and more frequent adjustments, avoiding concentrated increases at certain times of the year.

Sector specialists believe that a more predictable update facilitates both the financial planning of distributing companies and the organization of household spending, especially during months of higher consumption.

The modification adds to the measures that the Government has been implementing in energy matters in a context marked by the debate over subsidies, the coverage of actual service costs, and the payment capacity of users.

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