Eletrobras is a federally-owned holding Page | 22 comPanV f°r electricity assets, controlling a large part of electric power generation and transmission systems mainly through six subsidiary companies, as well as some distribution capacity in the Amazon area. The Empresa de Pesquisa Energetica (EPE, or Energy Research Company) is responsible for the development of integrated long-term planning of Brazil's power sector, thus supporting MME's national energy policy and long-term planning. By 2007, 55.35 million out of a total 56.34 million permanent residences were connected to electric energy.