15,511 power theft cases reported in first 10 months of this year — EMRC

AMMAN — The Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC) on Monday said that it documented a total of 15,511 electricity theft cases during the first 10 months of 2019.

EMRC Chief Commissioner Farouq Hiyari said that 2,924 electricity theft lawsuits were filed during the January-October period, with courts issuing final rulings on 1,490 cases, according to an EMRC statement.

Commission personnel, in the first 10 months, detected 8,692 cases, while the remaining 6,819 cases were discovered by electricity distribution companies and the Public Security and Gendarmerie departments.

Of the 8,692 cases uncovered by the EMRC, 5,532 were registered under the jurisdiction  of the Jordan Electric Power Company (JEPCO), which distributes electricity to Amman, Zarqa, Balqa and Madaba.

A total of 2,288 thefts were registered within the Irbid District Electricity Company’s (IDECO) areas, which comprises the northern governorates of Irbid, Mafraq, Jerash and Ajloun, and 872 cases were reported within the Electricity Distribution Company’s (EDCO) areas, covering the southern governorates of Aqaba, Maan, Karak and Tafileh. 

EMRC personnel in October detected 1,032 cases, including 633 thefts in the area covered by JEPCO, 310 within IDECO areas, and 89 in areas covered by EDCO, according to the statement. 

Also in October, Hiyari added, electricity distribution companies detected 497 cases, while the security bodies uncovered 226 alleged thefts, noting that the EMRC carried out 238,781 inspections during the first 10 months of this year.

The law stipulates that anyone who tampers with the electrical system or is involved in electricity theft may face imprisonment from anywhere between six months to two years, a fine from JD2,000 to JD10,000, or both.

Under the law, all those who intentionally vandalise, destroy or hinder the work of power facilities, or cause them any damage, could face imprisonment for one to three years, a fine ranging from JD2,000 to JD100,000, or both. 

The penalty can also be increased if the violation poses any danger to public safety.