Greece’s power grid operator plans to cut electricity to homes and businesses with hidden electricity meters, targeting about 75,000 supplies that staff have not read for over a year.
The Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO), known in Greece as DEDDIE, sent the plan to energy regulator RAAEY. The regulator opened a public consultation on the proposal on 27 October, with comments due by 12 November.
Hidden electricity meters make up about 1% of its network, according to HEDNO. In each case, the user has blocked access to the meter for more than 12 months.
How the crackdown on hidden electricity meters works
First, crews leave an orange notice at the entrance after a failed visit. If a second visit also fails, a second orange notice serves as the final written warning.
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HEDNO also plans to send text messages, emails and alerts through its myDEDDIE app. In addition, it will inform the customer’s electricity supplier.
If the customer ignores the warnings and books no reading, crews will cut the supply from an outside point on the network. Reconnection will need a request from the customer and a new smart meter.
Because smart meters send readings remotely, staff no longer need to reach them. As a result, a replaced meter cannot stay hidden again.
However, vulnerable customers face no cuts from November to March, or in July and August. No cuts will apply to people who rely on life-support equipment.
What the Attica pilot found
A pilot in Peristeri and Elefsina, two areas of Attica, led to 366 disconnections and 351 smart meter replacements by the end of September, HEDNO data show.
Yet only about 20 of those customers asked for reconnection. For that reason, HEDNO officials suspect many hidden electricity meters mask power theft or abandoned supplies used illegally.
Now HEDNO is extending the scheme to about 10,000 commercial, industrial and agricultural supplies across Attica, including Athens, Piraeus, Kallithea, Kifissia and Mesogeia.
Under the proposal, estimated readings for hidden electricity meters would also count as official meter data. Suppliers could then issue full bills, with refunds capped at three years if a later reading is lower.
Separately, people caught stealing power already face back-charges of up to five years. HEDNO bills stolen energy at about €652 per megawatt-hour for households, which includes a 100% surcharge.
Greece has targeted power theft before, including a crackdown after 15,000 theft cases and a police raid on a €9 million network in June.
HEDNO said money from theft charges, minus its costs, goes back to paying customers as bill credits. Ultimately, the push on hidden electricity meters aims to stop honest users paying for others.
Source: Ta Nea
