SAO PAULO, Oct 22 (Reuters) – Brazilian power company Eletrobras announced on Wednesday it is changing its name to Axia Energia, in a development it said will not impact any contractual, business, or regulatory commitments established by the firm.
In a securities filing, Eletrobras also said its Sao Paulo-listed ordinary shares’ ticker “ELET3” will change to “AXIA3” starting on November 10, adding the new identity will be gradually incorporated into all its communications and assets.
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The new name removes reference to Brazil, a legacy of the state’s ownership of the company. Eletrobras’ privatization process was completed in mid-2022, although the Brazilian government continues to have almost 30% of its total shares.
The company is responsible for 17% of the country’s power generation capacity and 37% of the total transmission lines in the national interconnected system. Its installed capacity has 81 plants, 47 of which are hydroelectric, 33 wind and one solar.
The Brazilian government pledged this year to no longer question its 10% voting limit in the company, imposed on any shareholder or group of shareholders, in exchange for more representation on the firm’s board.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has always opposed the way the company was privatized during former President Jair Bolsonaro’s term.
Reporting by Isabel Teles, Alberto Alerigi Jr. and Roberto Samora; Writing by Fernando Cardoso; Editing by Brendan O’Boyle and Diane Craft
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