During the first 3 months of 2017, the accounting group of balance and electricity metering of Penzaenergo, a branch of IDGC of Volga, PJSC (a member of Rosseti Group of Companies), identified 591 cases of off-the-meter consumption in the amount of 1,767.296 thousand kWh.
169 (657.124 thousand kWh) of total drawn up acts were in respect of legal entities, and 422 acts (1,110.172 thousand kWh) were in respect of individuals. Damages caused by illegal electricity usage are estimated at 2.558 million rubles (this amount includes just the cost of power transmission services). By the moment, this damage has been compensated in full.
The most common electrical theft crimes still occur through meter tampering, or bypassing meters to avoid recording electricity usage, and tapping, or hooking up a power line, etc. Penzaenergo specialists notify that power theft carries deadly risks, and many thieves pay for the power hey steal with their lives.
Electricity theft is not just dangerous for those who steal, but for the community in general. In addition, an illegal connection, that is the drawing or tapping of power from the electrical mains, can easily cause short circuits that often cause fires, or voltage drops, or electrical failure or malfunction of household appliances. Eventually, because of unauthorized connections, the electrical grid is overloaded and then out of order. Power engineers remind that unauthorized electricity consumption is a punishable offense and an offender can be prosecuted under applicable criminal law. If you have witnessed or have information about unauthorized connections to the electricity network or off-the-meter electricity consumption, please inform the distribution zone (RES) of Penzaenergo at place of residence or by hot line 8 800 700 18 12.