The Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (DEDDIE) has proposed measures to prevent electricity theft. Those found stealing electricity must pay double the price retroactively from the date the theft allegedly began, along with additional costs for detecting the theft (labor, spare parts, etc.).
Debts will be settled in a lump sum if they are up to €600, while they can be paid in up to 12 installments if they exceed €4,800. The type of supply line—fixed or variable tariff—will also be considered.
Consumers enrolled in the Social Tariff will be exempt from the price doubling, with the increase set at 50%. Based on data from the first half of 2024, the stolen electricity would be charged between €464 and €520 per megawatt-hour for residential and professional consumers and between €145 and €280 for eligible social tariff beneficiaries.
There are two categories of electricity theft: one in which the offender steals directly from the DEDDIE network and another in which they steal from another consumer.
The calculated amount for the value of the electricity will include labor hours and administrative costs, which range from €294 to €365 depending on the type of supply. It will also include the cost of replacing the meter when necessary, which ranges from €66 to €250, considering the value of smart meters.
It is estimated that 54.7% of confirmed and 40% of unconfirmed electricity thefts occurred in homes from 2018 to 2023. Additionally, confirmed electricity thefts from commercial consumers accounted for 86.7% of confirmed thefts among non-residential consumers, including farmers, during the same period.
