Brazilians paid up to 13,4% more on their electricity bills for “cats”

Os brazilian consumers paid up to 13,4% more on their electricity bill in 2023 because of the thefts in the electrical network, popularly known as “cats”, according to data of ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency).

Os consumers of Amazon Energya were the most affected due to the increase in costs caused by fraud in the electricity grid. In second place are Light's customers, in Rio de Janeiro, followed by consumers in Amapá, in the Equatorial concession area. 

The consumers who pay less for energy theft are the customers of the distributors Energisa Tocantins; Neoenergia Elektro; CPFL Santa Cruz; Neoenergia Cosern; Energisa Minas Gerais and Energisa Sul/Sudeste, with costs below 1% in tariffs.

Altogether, the Last year, the cost of losses on the electricity grid due to “cats” was R$9,9 billion. Of this amount, the ANEEL recognized the transfer of R$6,9 billion to consumers in the distributors’ tariff processes.

consumer's pocket

Os energy thefts in distribution networks is gaining more and more prominence in Brazil amid the financial difficulties faced by some distributors.

Even knowing that it is a crime provided for by law, many Brazilians believe that clandestine connections have no impact on the lives of ordinary citizens, since they think that the loss would be 100% borne by the distributor itself. 

Yet, as explained in ANEEL, the “energy cats” affect both consumers’ pockets and distributors’ cash flow, since part of the losses is assumed by the distributor and its shareholders and another portion is transferred to the customer's account, which is located in the concession area affected by the crime. 

In other words, if a large number of people steal energy in municipalities supplied by a distributor, part of the loss ends up being passed on to consumers who pay the electricity bill correctly every month to this distributor in question. 

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