Energy thieves to pay 200% of stolen electricity in damages

Fines for the theft of electricity have risen twentyfold, in new amendments to the Electricity Supply regulations.

Consumers caught stealing energy will have to pay additional fines of up to 200% of the consumption stolen, over and above the cost of the energy used, following a change in regulations that has been introduced.

The new regulations are the latest in a string of actions by the energy ministry since the magnitude of electricity theft became known in the last year, with millions haemorrhaged from Enemalta’s revenues over the years.

A racket of tampered smart meters, which were previously believed to be tamper-proof, was uncovered by Enemalta and ministry officials in what is believed to have cost the state utility millions in revenues which were lost to theft. There have been several cases in court, and some convictions.

The new regulations will replace the 2006 legislation that imposed a penalty of 10% of the total amount due for the supply of electricity, in addition to the payment for the consumption itself.

Penalties will rise even higher for repeat offenders. In such cases, the settlement charge payable increases to 400% of the value of the electricity stolen.

In the case of obstinate perpetrators who fail to learn their lesson even after the second attempt, the 200% penalty will be multiplied by the number of times they would have been found out.

Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi had said that electricity theft regulations introduced by the former administration in 2006 were being overhauled to act as a greater deterrent to this kind of abuse.

Government sources confirmed that the minister had recently endorsed the new tough regulations proposed by Enemalta, paving the way for their introduction in a few weeks’ time.

Under the new Electricity Supply rules, consumers who receive an unlawful supply of electricity or those responsible for tampered meters and energy theft and have their supply suspended, will be obliged to pay back the value of the energy stolen, and in addition pay a supplementary 200% of the value of the energy obtained unlawfully.