Distribuție Energie Electrică Romania – DEER has started a campaign to raise awareness, educate and make users responsible for the risks and consequences of fraudulent energy consumption.
A first step is the creation of an informative brochure, which will be distributed in all 18 counties in the DEER area, both within local and county public institutions, as well as to end users. This can also be consulted online. DEER specialists, from the Energy Inspection Service, identified over 800 cases of fraudulent consumption in the first semester of this year, 6% more than the same period last year, i.e. a quantity of stolen energy of 16,332 GWh.
Fraudulent consumption of electricity, i.e. electricity theft, is the connection to the electricity distribution network through clandestine installations, which bypass or modify the electricity measurement equipment, affecting their correct operation.
“We decided to carry out this extensive campaign to raise awareness, educate and make users responsible for the risks they are exposed to, what the consequences are and what precautions are indicated to prevent cases of fraudulent energy consumption, which are on the rise.
”We are both worried and concerned about the extent of this process and our appeal to users is to be responsible and not allow such situations, act and take appropriate measures. Together, we put a STOP to fraudulent energy consumption. DEER constantly carries out inspections in the distribution facilities in order to limit fraudulent intervention attempts on the electricity supply facilities”, stated Mihaela Rodica Suciu, general manager of DEER.
In the brochure, users have access to information about the risks involved in these illegal actions, how they are punished and how they can be prevented through responsible behavior.
For example, in the information brochure, readers learn about faulty or overheated cables that can cause devastating fires in homes, commercial or industrial buildings, endangering the lives and property of those around them. At the same time, there is a risk of electrocution by handling electrical equipment by people without knowledge and appropriate equipment, with possible fatal consequences. Overloading electrical equipment can damage equipment (appliances, apartment heating units, etc.).
Theft of electricity constitutes a crime and is punishable according to the laws in force.
It is very serious that unauthorized interventions also have a direct impact on the quality of electricity distributed to consumers, producing voltage fluctuations and incidents in the electrical network, so that there may be consequences on the quality of life and property of neighbors.