Authorities deal with 1,714 recorded cases of electricity theft in January

AMMAN — The Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC) on Monday said it had recorded 1,714 cases of electricity theft in January, of which 972 were detected by EMRC personnel.

Police and Gendarmerie personnel detected 235 cases, said EMRC Chief Commissioner Farouq Hiyari.

The cases recorded by EMRC personnel included 603 cases within the jurisdiction of the Jordanian Electric Power Company (JEPCO), 271 in areas affiliated with the Irbid District Electricity Company (IDECO) and 68 cases in the Electricity Distribution Company’s (EDCO) jurisdiction, the chief commissioner noted.

JEPCO is responsible for providing power to the central region, which comprises the governorates of Amman, Zarqa, Madaba and Balqa, while IDECO works in the northern governorates of Irbid, Jerash, Ajloun and Mafraq. The southern governorates of Aqaba, Tafileh, Maan and Karak receive power from EDCO.

During the same period, 90 electricity violation cases were referred to courts, and verdicts were issued on 56 cases, Hiyari added.

Hiyari stressed that the authorities would continue to intensify and scale up inspection campaigns, both during official working hours and on holidays, to combat electricity theft and address attempts to tamper with the electrical system.

The law stipulates that anyone who tampers with the electrical system, or is involved in electricity theft, faces imprisonment of six to 24 months, a fine between JD2,000 and 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, faces one to three years in prison, a fine ranging from JD2,000 to JD100,000 or both.

The penalty can be increased if the violation causes danger to public safety.