Coprel

What Coprel does

Coprel Cooperativa de Energia, founded in 1968 and headquartered in Ibirubá, Rio Grande do Sul, is a member-owned energy cooperative operating an integrated portfolio of electricity distribution, generation, free-market commercialization, telecommunications, and power-plant operations & maintenance services across Brazil. It distributes electricity through regulated ANEEL concession infrastructure to cooperants in 12+ municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul, while operating 16 own hydroelectric plants (PCHs and CGHs) that produced 378,766.3 MWh in the trailing year (43.23 MW average). Through its Coprel Comercialização arm, which holds CCEE market-operator certification, the cooperative sells free-market energy nationally to commercial and industrial clients, advertising 20–40% cost reductions versus the regulated market, with documented case outcomes including Cotribá (~30%), Coopeagri (32%), and COASA. Coprel Soluções operates over 200 MW of third-party hydroelectric O&M across multiple Brazilian states via a 24/7 Operations Center, and Coprel Telecom provides internet and telephony to residential and business customers. Governance is cooperative-democratic with elected Advisory Councils across member municipalities, and the company runs social programs (Luz do Povo social tariff, Coprel na Escola, Coprel Ecologia, Auxílio Pecúlio) alongside a R$ 131 million 2026 infrastructure investment plan. The organization employs 251–500 people, has no external parent or public listing, and distributes services via Discoprel Online portal, WhatsApp, phone (116), in-person service points, and seven banking correspondents.

Name

Coprel

Legal name

COPREL

Website

https://coprel.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Coprel is a Brazilian member-owned energy cooperative founded in 1968 in Ibirubá, Rio Grande do Sul, distributing electricity across 12+ municipalities, generating power from 16 hydroelectric plants, and offering free-market commercialization, telecom, and power-plant O&M services nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Utility Services

NAICS

Electric Power Distribution (221122), Utilities (221), Utilities (22)

SIC

Electric Services (4911), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Choice Aggregators with Distribution Operations (CCA + Wires, where applicable) (EUADABAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) / Municipal Aggregation Retail Supply (EUAGABAF)

Keywords

• Energy distribution services
• Hydroelectric power generation
• Free energy market
• Cooperative utilities
• Telecommunications services

Headquarters

HQ city

Ibirubá

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Energy Distribution: Distribution of electricity to end consumers (cooperants) through regulated distribution network infrastructure. Revenue comes from tariff collection based on consumption.
2. Power Generation: Operation of 16 hydroelectric power plants (PCHs and CGHs) generating clean renewable energy. Generated 378,766.3 MWh in the last year (43.23 MW average).
3. Energy Commercialization: Free energy market services including energy trading, contract negotiation, and advisory for commercial and industrial clients. The company holds CCEE market operator certification.
4. Coprel Telecom: Telecommunications services including internet plans and telephone services for residential and business customers in Rio Grande do Sul.
5. Operations and Maintenance Services: Specialized O&M services for power plants and industrial facilities. Coprel Soluções operates over 200 MW in hydroelectric facilities across multiple states.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Coprel is an energy cooperative that generates, distributes, and commercializes electricity primarily to rural and residential members across Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. It operates 16 own hydroelectric plants (PCHs and CGHs) producing 378,766.3 MWh annually, distributes power through a regulated concession network, offers free energy market (Mercado Livre) trading services to commercial and industrial clients nationwide, and provides telecommunications (internet and telephony) and power plant O&M services through sub-brands Coprel Energia, Coprel Soluções, and Coprel Telecom.

Product overview

Coprel is an energy cooperative offering integrated services through three main sub-brands: Coprel Energia (distribution, generation, and commercialization of electricity), Coprel Soluções (operation and maintenance services for power plants), and Coprel Telecom (internet and telephony). The cooperative operates 16 own hydroelectric power plants (PCHs and CGHs) generating 378,766.3 MWh annually, distributes electricity to members across multiple municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul, and provides free energy market trading services helping clients reduce energy costs by up to 40%. Additional services include customer portal (Discoprel Online), digital invoicing, automatic payment, social tariff programs, and sustainability certifications (I-REC). The cooperative also runs social programs including Coprel na Escola (educational), Coprel Ecologia (environmental), and Auxílio Pecúlio (death benefit).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Coprel Energia: Energy services including distribution, generation and commercialization of energy
• Coprel Soluções
• Coprel Telecom
• Discoprel

Products and services

• Coprel Energia Integrated energy sub-brand providing electricity distribution, generation from 16 own hydroelectric plants (PCHs and CGHs), and free energy market commercialization services to cooperative members and commercial/industrial clients across Brazil.
• Coprel Distribuição

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 40% reduction in energy costs for free market clients
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CoopeagricoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 October 2024Migrated Coopeagri's units to free energy market, achieving 32% average cost reduction. Avoided 10,449 tonnes of CO2 emissions between June-December 2023. Coopeagri operates in Ibirubá and Quinze de Novembro, RS, founded in 2000 by small rural producers.
• CotrijalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 February 2024Annual partnership for Expodireto fair where Coprel provides complete energy and internet infrastructure for 500+ exhibitors. Also collaboration on free energy market services. Cotrijal is headquartered in Não Me Toque, RS.
• CotribácoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 December 2023Partnership with Cotribá cooperative for free energy market migration. In the first year, Cotribá achieved nearly 30% reduction in electricity costs. Cotribá is Brazil's oldest agricultural cooperative (112 years) headquartered in Ibirubá, RS.
• CoasacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInter-cooperation partnership covering infrastructure, connectivity, and free market energy advisory services. Coprel delivers infrastructure, internet connectivity, and energy market expertise to support Coasa's operations.
• COASAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwarded certificate for reducing 69.26 tonnes of CO2 in 2023 through free energy market participation. Demonstrates successful sustainability partnership through renewable energy sourcing.
• CAALminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAAL signed contract for free energy market migration in partnership with Coprel Comercialização. Partnership for energy cost optimization through market migration services.
• CCEE (Câmara de Comercialização de Energia Elétrica)coreTechnology or IntegrationCoprel is CCEE-certified as free energy market operator. The certification validates Coprel's professionals as qualified market operators for energy trading, contract mechanisms, risk management, regulation, and market operationalization.
• Abracel (Associação Brasileira dos Comercializadores de Energia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoprel participates in the free energy market ecosystem under Abracel guidance. The association represents commercial energy traders and promotes market expansion and consumer rights.
• ABRAPCH (Associação Brasileira de PCHs e CGHs)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoprel participates in ABRAPCH conferences and events for small and mini hydroelectric plant sector. Association promotes PCH and CGH development in Brazil.
• SicredicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner bank for automatic debit services and bill payment. One of seven banking partners enabling cooperants to pay energy bills and set up automatic payments.
• SicoobcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner bank for automatic debit services and bill payment. Cooperativist banking institution serving cooperative members.
• CresolcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner bank for automatic debit services and bill payment. Cooperative banking institution focused on rural producers.
• Caixa Econômica FederalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner bank for automatic debit services and bill payment. Government-owned bank offering payment services to energy consumers.
• BanrisulminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner bank for automatic debit services and bill payment. Rio Grande do Sul state-owned bank.
• Banco do BrasilminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner bank for automatic debit services and bill payment. Major government-controlled Brazilian bank.
• BradescominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner bank for automatic debit services and bill payment. Major Brazilian private bank.
• SicredicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerInter-cooperation partnership for sustainability and renewable energy. Joint initiatives promoting cooperative values and environmental responsibility.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ceriluz: Brazilian energy cooperative based in Três de Maio, Rio Grande do Sul, operating generation, distribution, and free market commercialization under the same cooperativist model as Coprel. Most directly comparable peer given shared cooperative structure, regional RS focus, and overlapping service lines (hydro generation + distribution).
• Omega Energia: Brazilian energy commercializer specializing in free market supply (Mercado Livre) to commercial and industrial clients nationwide. Directly comparable as a peer commercializer competing for the same enterprise migration pipeline Coprel serves.
• Comerc Energia: Brazilian energy commercializer and solutions provider offering free market supply, renewable energy sourcing, and energy management. Directly comparable as a CCEE-certified competitor in commercialization, renewable energy supply, and I-REC-type services.

Regional players

• RGE (Rio Grande Energia): Private electric distribution utility serving northern/northwestern Rio Grande do Sul, now part of CPFL Energia group. Directly comparable as a regional DSO operating in Coprel's same state with overlapping service territory in RS municipalities.
• CEEE (Companhia Estadual de Energia Elétrica): State-owned electric distribution utility serving portions of Rio Grande do Sul. Comparable as another DSO operating in Coprel's home state, though state-owned versus cooperativist ownership model.

Broad incumbents

• Copel: Major Paraná-based integrated electric utility with generation, transmission, and distribution. Comparable as a Brazilian regional electric utility of similar multi-service structure, though materially larger scale and state-controlled origin.
• CPFL Energia: One of Brazil's largest private electric distribution groups (parent of RGE), operating across multiple states. Comparable as a multi-state distribution and commercialization platform competing for the same free market and enterprise clients Coprel targets.
• Engie Brasil: Brazilian arm of global energy major Engie, with large renewable generation portfolio (hydro, wind, solar) and commercial energy supply. Comparable as a competitor in hydroelectric generation, free market commercialization, and renewable energy supply across Brazil.
• Auren Energia: Brazilian integrated energy company formed from the merger of AES Tietê and other assets, with renewable generation and commercialization across multiple states. Comparable as a larger competitor in renewable generation and free market energy commercialization.
• Energisa: Large Brazilian electric distribution group operating across multiple states with both regulated distribution and commercial energy services. Comparable as a multi-state distribution platform competing for enterprise free market contracts and O&M opportunities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/coprel
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@coprel
• Facebookfacebook.com/coprel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/coprel
• Instagraminstagram.com/coprel

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Coprel