Hotline of power engineering specialists:
IDGC of Centre – Belgorodenergo division and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in the Belgorod region concluded an agreement on cooperation in the field of countering theft of electricity, preventing and suppressing facts of illegal connection to grids and non-metered energy consumption.
The parties agreed to carry out a regular exchange of information on the theft of electricity, damage to electric grid equipment and interference in the operation of power facilities, involving emergency outages of consumers, especially social facilities. Consolidation of efforts, according to the parties, will increase the effectiveness of the fight against violations in the sphere of energy consumption in the region.
Please, be reminded that unlawful actions include both non-metered and non-contractual energy consumption. The first is expressed in the deliberate interference of consumers in metering systems, the second - in unauthorized connection to grids and the use of electricity without an energy supply contract. Both acts are classified as administrative offenses, in the event of detection of which citizens are required to pay not only the cost of stolen electricity, but also a fine. Since 1 January 2016, the fine has been increased several times: for citizens - up to 15 thousand rubles, officials - up to 80 thousand, legal entities - up to 200 thousand rubles. If there are sufficient grounds, the violator may be prosecuted under Art. 165 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. As for damage to life support facilities, such actions fall under Art. 7.17 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation.
