Hotline of power engineering specialists:
The branch “Rosseti Centre Voronezhenergo” carries out systematic work to combat the theft of electricity. Since the beginning of 2019, specialists from the electricity metering department, together with specialists from the security unit, have revealed 987 facts of non-metered and non-contracted electricity consumption in excess of 7.4 million kWh. The damage caused amounted to 16.5 million rubles.
The largest number of identified violations was committed by individuals: citizens accounted for 811 facts of the electricity theft with a total volume of 3.5 million kWh. However, legal entities are leaders in terms of stolen electricity: industrial, commercial enterprises and various organizations account for more than 176 facts of non-metered and non-contractual energy consumption in the amount of more than 3.8 million kWh.
So, during the regular raid in Novousmansky district, Voronezhenergo’s specialists revealed the fact of non-metered energy consumption in the amount of more than 758 thousand kWh. The violator was the “Berezovskoye-2” Horticultural Non-Profit Partnership. The fact of intervention in the operation of the metering device and the underestimation of the volume of consumed electricity was confirmed by the triggered antimagnetic seal. Now the Non-Profit Partnership will have to compensate for the damage caused to the power grid company in the amount of 1.9 million rubles.
In all cases of “energy theft”, acts were drawn up and applications were sent to law enforcement agencies to initiate cases of an administrative offense. Unscrupulous consumers need to pay damages to the branch “Rosseti Centre Voronezhenergo”. From violators who do not do this voluntarily, the debt is recovered in court with the assignment of all legal costs to the perpetrators.
The power engineers remind that legislation provides for severe penalties for power thieves. In case of theft of electricity, the violator not only compensates for the damage to the electric grid company, but is also held criminally or administratively liable with a fine. It should be noted that from 9 June 2019, amendments to the Russian Federation Administrative Offence Code entered into force. The fines for repeated unauthorized connection to electric grids, as well as unauthorized (non-metered) use of electric energy doubled. Now a fine of 15 to 30 thousand rubles is imposed on citizens. In addition to tougher sanctions for private individuals, the changes affected other categories of consumers. For repeated unauthorized connection to electric grids, as well as unauthorized (non-metered) use of electricity, officials will pay from 80 to 200 thousand rubles, or will be disqualified for a period of two to three years. Fines for organizations are from 200 to 300 thousand rubles.
The power engineers draw the attention of residents of the region to the fact that energy theft is one of the main causes of voltage surges and power outages. You can report facts of possible violations of the law by calling the round-the-clock hotline at 8-800-50-50-115, (the call is toll-free). You can also submit a message on the company’s website at www.mrsk-1.ru
