Recovered electricity is enough to supply 350,000 homes for two weeks

A special operation carried out by Neoenergia Coelba located around 200 energy thefts in Western Bahia since the beginning of this month. With the amount of energy recovered in the region, it would be possible to supply the city of Vitória da Conquista for two weeks, the concessionaire said.

Several electrical professionals went to the area to remove irregularities in energy usage. Electricians visited three cities, Luis Eduardo Magalhães, Barreiras and Rosário and recovered 22.2 million kilowatt hours, enough to supply energy to 350,000 homes for two weeks.

The main objective of the action is to investigate agricultural properties, businesses and industries, which are responsible for the majority of energy consumption. The technical teams are inspecting the regularity of supply, and applying fines and opening legal proceedings in applicable cases.

The main infraction committed is the creation of “cats”, which bring insecurity to the locality and harm the energy supply in the area, by damaging the electricity grid. In addition to the risk of interrupting electricity, energy theft is a constitutionally stipulated crime, punishable by up to eight years in prison.

“We mapped the units that had incompatible consumption with the activity carried out and dedicated teams to carry out the inspection in the field. We also have police support in some situations, which reinforces the illegality of those who commit energy theft”, commented Ricardo Bastos, operations manager at Coelba.

The operation also intends to visit the municipalities of Mambaí, Bom Jesus da Lapa and Ibotirama.

Reporting fraud or energy theft can be made anonymously by calling 116 or on the Neoenergia Coelba website.