OREANDA-NEWS. IDGC of Centre summed up the results of measures to identify and suppress non-metered and non-contractual electricity consumption in 2017.

In the course of large-scale raid work carried out by personnel of Distribution Zones and electricity metering departments of the company’s branches, including together with specialists of the security unit, 10,689 facts of illegal consumption of electric energy were revealed in the service area of ??IDGC of Centre (11 subjects of the Central Federal District). The total amount of non-metered and non-contractual energy consumption was 150.75 million kWh, the amount of damage - 411 million rubles.

Particular attention during the raids was paid to work with consumers who had previously been convicted of illegal electricity consumption. Their inspection was preceded by thorough preparation and instruction of raid participants by specialists from security departments. In the context of conducting operational search activities, in a number of cases, employees of the regional offices of the FSB and the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs were involved in the raids.

The energy company takes measures to compensate for the damage. In respect of violators who have not voluntarily made it, court decisions are made on recovery. On the remaining facts, the claims and lawsuits continue.

In addition, the applicant’s materials on the facts of unauthorized electricity consumption, identified by the security unit of IDGC of Centre, were sent to law enforcement agencies. Based on the results of their consideration, criminal cases were initiated on the basis of the elements of the offense provided for in para. b of Part 2 of Article 165 of the Criminal Code ("causing property damage to the owner of property by the abuse of confidence in the absence of signs of embezzlement, which caused particularly large damage").

IDGC of Centre reminds that the legislation provides for a strict punishment in respect of energy thieves. In case of detection of electricity theft, the violator not only compensates for the damage to the power grid company, but is also brought to criminal or administrative responsibility with payment of a fine. It should be noted that since 1 January 2016 Russia has tightened administrative responsibility for energy theft. In particular, the amount of fines for unauthorized connection and use of electricity has been increased.

Bona fide consumers, who regularly pay bills for electricity, suffer greatly from criminal acts of violators: because of the thefts: there are voltage fluctuations in the grid, household appliances are out of order, the probability of failures, fires and accidents increases.

IDGC of Centre intends to consistently seek compensation for damage by unscrupulous consumers. It should be recalled that the company spends funds collected from energy thieves, including financing of the main production activities, ensuring reliable and uninterrupted power supply to consumers.