Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL) (NYSE:ELP) is a Brazilian utility founded in 1954 and headquartered in Curitiba, Paraná. Originally established to consolidate the state’s fragmented power services, COPEL has grown into an integrated energy company with operations spanning generation, transmission, distribution and commercialization of electricity. In addition to its core electricity business, COPEL has diversified into telecommunications and natural gas distribution, reflecting a strategy to leverage its infrastructure and technical expertise across multiple utility segments.
On the generation side, COPEL operates a diversified portfolio of hydroelectric plants complemented by thermal and small-scale renewable facilities. The company’s hydroelectric assets are strategically located along Paraná’s river network, providing a stable baseload capacity while contributing to Brazil’s broader renewable energy mix. COPEL also pursues new projects and partnerships to expand its generation footprint, with an emphasis on sustainable development and environmental licensing standards.
COPEL’s transmission and distribution networks serve millions of customers across the state of Paraná, encompassing both urban centers and rural areas. The company maintains an extensive grid of high-voltage lines, substations and distribution feeders that deliver electricity to residential, commercial and industrial end users. Through ongoing investments in grid modernization, smart metering and reliability programs, COPEL aims to reduce losses, improve service continuity and support the integration of distributed energy resources.
Beyond power services, COPEL has grown its telecommunications arm, offering fiber-optic connectivity solutions for business and wholesale customers under the Copel Telecom brand. Its gas distribution subsidiary extends utility services to select municipalities, providing an alternative energy source for residential, commercial and industrial consumers. Governed by a board of directors and led by an executive management team, COPEL remains focused on operational efficiency, regulatory compliance and sustainable growth as it continues to play a central role in Paraná’s energy landscape.
