Over 1,400 cases of potential fraudulent energy consumption were identified last year in the 20 counties in which the distribution company Delgaz Grid operates, most of them involving electricity theft.

Thus, about 840 cases represent electricity theft, these being identified in the Moldova region (counties of Iași, Botoșani, Vaslui, Suceava, Neamț and Bacău). Also, almost 570 cases were registered on the gas side in 19 counties (Cluj, Bistrița-Năsăud, Maramureș, Satu Mare, Sălaj, Timiș, Arad, Caraș-Severin, Hunedoara, Mureș, Sibiu, Alba, Harghita, Iași, Botoșani, Vaslui, Suceava, Neamț and Bacău).

The total amount of unmetered energy exceeds 20 million kWh (10.38 million kWh of natural gas and 10.4 million kWh of electricity), and the value of the damage was calculated at about 12.5 million lei.

The stolen energy could cover the natural gas consumption for a year and a half, respectively, the electricity consumption for two years of a hospital serving a city with about 100,000 inhabitants.

Unauthorized interventions on natural gas or electricity connections and meters, as well as clandestine installations, can lead to incidents such as explosions, poisoning, fires, electrocutions, etc. with devastating consequences: destroyed property and, more seriously, loss of life.

Unfortunately, consumers who resort to such “methods” to reduce the value of their energy bill are not aware of the possible consequences and when tragedies occur it is too late. Therefore, preventing energy thefts, by identifying them as close as possible to the moment they occur, is very important for maintaining consumer safety.

Fraudulent consumption means losses not only for the distribution operator, but also for honest consumers who regularly pay for the energy consumed, illegal interventions also affecting the quality of the natural gas and electricity distribution service.