News & Events Details

01
Sep

Citizens urged to decrease electricity losses by collaborating in apprehending people stealing electricity

Rwanda Energy Group (REG) condemns electricity theft as it causes both revenue losses and/or fatal accidents. Electricity theft is also punishable by the law N°52/2018 of 13/08/2018 modifying Law Nº21/2011 of 23/06/2011 governing electricity in Rwanda as modified to date.  REG is committed to ensure affordable and reliable electricity supply while improving the service delivery. 

In a bid to combat electricity theft that is causing most of the company’s losses, REG has embarked on a series of campaigns to fight and discourage fraudulent connections.  From July 2019 up to date, inspections conducted to curb electricity theft all over the country found that around 55 people were suspected of stealing electricity. 

Power theft carries deadly risks and is not dangerous for only those who steal but it also affects the entire electricity network causing frequent outages and voltage drops.   

Therefore, Rwanda Energy Group management request the collaboration of the public in the fight against theft of electricity and other malpractices destroying energy infrastructure, by calling REG toll free number 2727, using REG Social media account to report such cases or informing nearest security organs and nearest REG branch. 

Wilson Karegyeya; the Director for Commercial Department at EUCL-REG condemns the act of stealing electricity and says that “REG will not tolerate such crimes and measures to curb electricity theft have been reinforced.”

He further says that electricity theft hinders the development of the country and may cause incidents. He emphasized that power theft is a challenge, although measures are being taken.

“People are stealing electricity and it is still a challenge to stop them, but we are about to fully address it because we are installing smart meters all over our distribution network.  This new system is helping REG to catch more and more people stealing electricity”.

Karegyeya says that many of these people are caught red-handed stealing electricity were apprehended  thanks to the collaboration of  local communities who report such cases.

He also said that announcements on radio and TV have been made to call the public to collaborate with REG and security organs in discovering and arresting people who steal electricity and rewards are planned for those collaborating to apprehend fraudsters.

Theft of electricity is a crime and is punishable by fines and/or incarceration.

Electricity theft is punishable whether stealing electricity connected to the grid or off-grid.
 

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