24
Jan

Rwanda Energy Group (REG) condemns theft of electricity as it causes both revenue losses and/or fatal accidents. It 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. As of today, Rwanda has an installed capacity of 221.1MW and more than 1.34 million Rwandan households have access to electricity. By the year 2024, Government of Rwanda is targeting a 100% access to electricity while the generation capacity will be increased up to 556 MW. 

Nevertheless, commercial electricity losses are still high with a percentage of around 6.5% of the electricity generated in the country and out of which a big percentage emanates from electricity theft. 

In a bid to fight against 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 January to date this operation has covered 14 districts. Most electrical theft crimes occur through meter tampering, bypassing meters, and tapping power lines. Others include tapping into neighboring premises as well as using illegal lines. 

Findings from these two month’s inspection operations, have exposed a total of 28 customers from 9 different districts caught red-handed stealing electricity. These include individual households, small businesses, hotels, milling machines, bars/restaurants, and industries. The amount of electricity stolen by these customers was evaluated to around 1.9 billion Frw. 

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 3535 or informing nearest security organs and REG nearest branch.