Suppliers Demand DEDDHE Collects Stolen Electricity Funds

Factors beyond the control of the distributor are responsible for the rise in electricity theft over recent years, according to the distributor, who denies responsibility for recovering the ‘lost’ funds from consumers. This statement is included in the draft proposal for required revenue that the energy regulatory authority must approve for the years 2025-2028 after the consultation process concludes. Naturally, the amount DEDDHE recovers from consumers depends on factors like investments, which have significantly increased as the distribution network needs strengthening and modernization. However, under the current framework, losses due to electricity theft are transferred to supply costs rather than being recovered through the distributor’s allowed revenue. In practice, this means they are added to the electricity cost side instead of regulated charges. Consequently, companies bear the burden instead of DEDDHE, a situation deemed unfair by the Association of Alternative Suppliers (ESPEN). Greece is one of the few EU member states where such a system is applied. Matters worsened for companies when DEDDHE charged them additional losses for 2021 and the first half of 2022, totaling 1.2 gigawatt-hours. Suppliers believe these amounts should be calculated in DEDDHE’s allowable revenue and recovered through network usage charges on consumer bills. Recently, much stricter measures against electricity theft have been enforced, including retroactive payments at more than double the price for offenders. DEDDHE and YPEN aim to see a reduction in this phenomenon moving forward to stabilize the situation.