Brasília, 12/10/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - New regulatory parameters for the electricity sector will be announced on Thursday by president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, reports minister of Mines and Energy, Dilma Rousseff.

The new model for the Brazilian electricity sector will be based on two pillars, says Rousseff: reliability of supply and lower rates. She explained that the new parameters will go into effect as soon as possible because their effects will be felt only in three to five years.

Rousseff explained that the new model incorporated suggestions from sector players. She added that she did not understand political party opposition to the use of a Temporary Measure (medida provisoria) to implant the changes. "Temporary measures were always used in the past. At least now we discuss the issue beforehand," she said, leaving the door open for the possibility of the government sending congress a bill on the issue at a later date. (AB)