Theft of electrical cables continues to be a growing concern for the electricity distribution sector in Brazil. The latest survey conducted by Enel reveals that, in the first four months of this year alone, around 170 customers were affected by power outages caused by this type of crime in the areas served by the company.
The situation is particularly alarming in the state of Rio de Janeiro, where reports of this type of incident have soared 142% compared to the same period in 2024. In the state, the highest rates were recorded in the cities of Campos dos Goytacazes, Macaé, Niterói and São Gonçalo. In total, 1,5 consumers were left without power.
In Ceará, 76 kilometers of cables were stolen between January and April of this year. The city of Fortaleza leads the records in the state, followed by the municipalities of Beberibe, Camocim and Cascavel. During the period of the survey, more than 160 thousand consumers were left without access to electricity.
In São Paulo, the cities with the most incidents are the capital, Osasco, Santo André and São Bernardo do Campo. According to Enel, 8,2 customers were directly affected. Given the escalation of thefts, Enel has intensified preventive measures, such as replacing cables with materials with lower resale value and reinforcing the articulation with forces of public security.
National losses exceed R$45 million
The problem is not limited to Enel's concession areas. National data from Abradee (Brazilian Association of Electric Energy Distributors) indicate that, in 2024, more than 28 thousand cable thefts were registered in the country, generating losses of more than R$ 45 million. In total, more than 130 tons of wires were stolen last year.
“The theft of electrical cables in Brazil has a serious impact on society. This type of crime affects distributors and consumers throughout the country, as it directly interferes with the provision of energy distribution services, causing power outages for customers and major financial losses for the companies,” said Marcos Madureira, president of Abradee.
“We cannot ignore the high risk of accidents associated with this crime, which can victimize those who commit the theft and, at times, cause other impacts on the surrounding community, such as short circuits or fires,” added Madureira.
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