Increased penalties have been established for electricity theft, requiring offenders to pay surcharges of up to 100% on the amount of energy they illegally consume.
This measure is part of a recent decision by the Waste, Energy, and Water Regulatory Authority, documented in the Government Gazette, aimed at reducing the rising issue of electricity theft.
The surcharge rates are set at 47.2 euro cents per kilowatt-hour for residential users and 54.1 euro cents per kilowatt-hour for businesses and professionals. These rates are over twice the standard charges, designed to deter potential offenders.
Initially, the decision proposed allowing consumers to pay fines in installments to facilitate easier repayment. However, this option was excluded from the final decision, with the Regulatory Authority choosing to address these details at a later time.
The urgent revision of the surcharge methodology was enacted to begin on June 1, aimed at preventing further escalation of electricity theft, with plans for additional regulations to follow. Authorities emphasized that updating the previously set price is crucial, as it does not reflect the current higher electricity costs and is thus insufficient as a deterrent against theft.
In determining the surcharge rates, the revised Code of the National Electricity Distribution Network recognizes the scale of electricity theft and the necessity for stringent measures. The surcharge may vary based on social and economic factors, and could be increased in cases of repeated or systematic theft.
