The scale of the problem with meters whose actual consumption in kilowatt-hours no one really knows — and whose bills are ultimately paid by someone, as they operate unchecked — is highlighted by HEDNO’s finding that consumption at 75,000 meters is unaccounted for.
In effect, these are connections for which no actual meter reading has been taken for more than a year. The operator’s services do not know how much electricity has been consumed or, more importantly, who is bearing the cost, with the scale of the problem pointing directly to electricity theft rings.
The extent of a phenomenon that clearly affects the pockets of all customers who pay their bills on time was set out in a proposal by HEDNO to RAAEY on how to manage what it calls “chronically unmetered connections”. According to HEDNO, this category accounts for 1% of the country’s approximately 7.5 million meters.
A general estimate is used for consumption at these connections, with no way to verify the actual amount of electricity used. As HEDNO notes, “despite repeated efforts, it has not been possible to obtain an actual reading through an on-site visit, because the meter could not be accessed for reasons attributable to the user”.
In short, everyone else has been bearing the cost of the actual consumption at these 75,000 meters for years. HEDNO has now decided to take action, tightening the process for accessing these meters and carrying out mass disconnections.
Measure to be extended to 10,000 meters
Under a pilot scheme already under way in Peristeri and Elefsina, HEDNO crews had disconnected the electricity in 366 cases by 29 September, while replacing conventional meters with smart meters in a further 351.
That the obstacles crews face when trying to take readings are not entirely “innocent” is suggested by the fact that, of the 366 connections where the electricity was cut off, only 20 users had it reconnected.
The measure is now set to be extended to a further 10,000 meters serving commercial, industrial and agricultural connections in areas including Athens, Piraeus, Kallithea, Mesogeia, Kifisia, Elefsina and Peristeri.
When will a connection be classed as “chronically unmetered”?
Under the plan, a connection will be considered “chronically unmetered” if it has not been possible to obtain an actual reading for more than 12 months for reasons attributable to the user.
How can consumers avoid this outcome? They will be notified through a notification process (SMS, email, notification to their supplier, etc.) so they can ensure the crew has access to the meter.
If the crew is still unable to record consumption at the next two scheduled visits — a fact that must be documented with photographs and GPS coordinates — it will leave an orange information notice at the entrance to the property.
In effect, the second notice will serve as a final warning: if HEDNO cannot access the meter, it will cut off the electricity on its next visit.
How settlement bills will be calculated
How can suppliers issue settlement bills for “chronically unmetered meters” without actual readings? The answer is to use the connection’s historical data.
If there is no sufficient history, statistical data on typical consumption for each connection category will be used, as is already done when issuing estimated bills.
The issue is not just who has been paying for the actual energy consumed at all these meters over the years, but also who bears the corresponding regulated charges levied on suppliers.
From network and system charges to public service obligation charges and the ETMEAR levy, all these amounts, like the cost of the electricity itself, ultimately end up being paid by customers who pay their energy bills on time.