The new Research and Development (R&D) program handbook of the regulatory body National Agency for Electric Energy (Aneel) of May 2008 enlarged the scope of R&D to comprise two new stages of the innovation chain: pioneer batch and market introduction; thus now supporting the development of product innovation in the framework of the program. The objective of this dissertation is to elaborate a methodology for the identification of suppliers in the distribution segment of the electric energy sector with a potential to develop innovative products in the Aneel R&D program. The motivation to carry out the study was the need signaled on the new Aneel R&D regime to add to the roster of research executors, besides universities and science and technology institutes (STIs), suppliers to make product innovations based on R&D projects’ results. Therefore, the supplier has become for Aneel R&D projects aiming to reach the commercialization stage, becoming an innovation. This is so because the university mandate does not include the manufacture of market products and even STIs possess the required competencies to embark on large scale production at a reasonable commercial cost. The key research methodology employed was a questionnaire sent to suppliers, with the aim of identifying capacities, capabilities and knowledge a supplier ought to have to develop a product innovation. These criteria, at their turn, were established through the analysis of innovation characterization in the Aneel R&D handbook and based on the government-led PINTEC innovation in industry questionnaire. On the basis of the results obtained, it was drafted a proposal to identify suppliers in the distribution segment through the elaboration of a panel of indicators. Finally, the thesis will contribute to bringing industry closer to the Aneel R&D program, thus collaborating with the country’s technological progress and economic development.