JPS Resource Centre
ELECTRICITY THEFT & YOU
Electricity theft is extremely costly and affects all of us. Every year we lose approximately 13% of the electricity we produce to theft.
WHAT IS ELECTRICITY THEFT?
Obtaining electricity without JPS approval constitutes electricity theft and is therefore illegal. Among the methods commonly used to illegally abstract electricity are:
- direct connections to JPS power lines using ‘throw-up’ lines and wires
- meter tampering to cause the meter to under-register the amount of electricity actually consumed
- meter by-pass to cause all or some of the electricity consumed to go undetected by the meter
HOW ELECTRICITY THEFT AFFECTS YOU?
JPS absorbs a portion of the costs arising from electricity theft; however a percentage which is approved by the OUR is also passed on to legitimate customers.
In addition to the financial cost, electricity theft is an extremely dangerous activity which causes several deaths each year, as well as extensive damage to property. Illegal wires and connections also distort the quality of the power supply you receive, and burden the distribution system that was designed to meet the specific energy needs of legitimate customers.
WHAT IS JPS DOING ABOUT ELECTRICITY THEFT?
In the last five years alone, we have invested billions of dollars and have implemented numerous initiatives to address the problem. While we have been successful in containing electricity theft, we have had only limited success in permanently reducing the percentage of electricity lost to theft.
Recognizing that persons continue to find newer and more sophisticated ways to steal electricity, we have intensified our efforts to deal with the problem. In fact, we plan to spend US$9M each year, over the next five years, to reduce losses by at least 1% per annum. Our anti-theft programmes include:
AMI Metering for Residential Customers
Experience and research confirms, that the more exposed the power distribution network, and the more accessible the meters, the greater the possibility of energy being stolen through illegal ‘throw-up’ lines, meter tampering, and other means. In light of this, our anti-theft strategies include a number of measures to reduce access to JPS equipment and lines.
Following the approval of the Bureau of Standards and the Office of Utilities Regulation, we have commenced implementation of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system for residential customers, specifically designed to address the issue of accessibility.
The AMI Residential system will allow up to 24 electronic meters with remote disconnect/reconnect switches to be installed inside a single meter cabinet, which will be mounted on a pole, out of the reach customers. Meter cabinets have tamper-proof locking capabilities that, if activated by JPS, can disconnect all the premises served by the meters located inside that cabinet, should someone attempt to tamper with the system.
The AMI Residential Project, which targets loss-prone areas, will facilitate remote monitoring of customer meters and quick detection of attempts at tampering.
Customers on the AMI system will be able to see information about their usage and consumption patterns on a display unit placed inside their homes.
We will spend close to US$5 Million in 2009 to connect 10,000 customers to the AMI Residential system. Given the experience of utilities in other countries, we are convinced that the implementation of this system and the increased use of technology, are keys to achieving sustainable reduction in the amount of electricity we lose to theft.
Feeder-by-Feeder Analysis
In order to facilitate a more scientific approach to fighting losses across the island, we have reintroduced a feeder-by-feeder approach to analyzing the problem. Special task forces are currently engaged in critically examining the losses on individual power distribution circuits, beginning with the feeders with high percentages of losses. Task forces accurately determine the level of losses per feeder by measuring and comparing the amount of electricity provided to each feeder, with the amount that is actually billed and paid for.
The process includes the installation of ‘Total Meters’ to measure total consumption on transformer circuits, and inspection of individual meters on the feeder. The data collected will determine the steps to be taken to address the losses, some of which include the construction of anti-theft networks, meter relocation, meter sealing, and account audits.
Large Account & RPD Audits
We carry out routine audits of large commercial and industrial customers to detect and prevent diversion of electricity. Our Revenue Protection Department (RPD) also audits medium and small business customers on an ongoing basis. Given the sophisticated methods used by some of these customers to illegally abstract electricity, we rely heavily on intelligence and technology in the auditing customers (in particular, business customers). In 2008, all large accounts (with consumption of over 3,000 kWh per month) were audited at least once, revealing illegal diversion of energy in 9% of the cases.
AMI Metering for Large Accounts
In 2008, we commenced the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) implementation programme for large accounts. These specialized meters can be continuously monitored for instantaneous customer demand, consumption, supply outage, as well as unauthorized interference and tampering. Close to 2,000 large business customers have already been supplied with AMI meters. We are on target to equip a further 3,000 large customers with AMI meters by the end of 2009.
Anti-Theft Network & Meter Centres
Over the years, the company has been gradually changing out the lines on its distribution system and replacing them with tamper-resistant lines. In the last two years, this initiative has been accompanied by the installation of meter centres, where the regular electricity meters are installed on poles in specially constructed meter boxes that can accommodate up to four meters. This initiative, which is somewhat different from the new AMI Residential system, has been implemented in several communities across the island, effectively placing the meters out of customers’ reach, and reducing the incidence of illegal ‘throw-up’ lines by using concentric neutral cables and eliminating secondary network extensions in these communities.
Daily Removal of Illegal ‘throw-up’ Lines
We carry out ‘strike force’ operations each day in communities across the island, removing illegal lines that are thrown up on the secondary distribution circuit by perpetrators. In 2008, over 42,000 illegal lines were removed.
Theft-Resistant Distribution Network
We work extensively to replace lines with insulated conductors that make it difficult for persons to create illegal connections. We have also combined this initiative with the installation of inaccessible meter centres in several communities across the island, whereby meters are relocated to specially constructed meter centres, thereby reducing the opportunities for meter tampering.
Audit of zero-consumption customers
Recognizing that a number of customers were registering zero-consumption, we established a task force to carry out audits on these accounts. Since the implementation of this initiative last year, close to 20% of the customers audited were found with illegal diversion of energy.
Removal of Inactive Account Service Equipment
Since 2008, we have been removing the meters and service wires of customers who terminate their service. Previously, the service equipment was left in place on the assumption that a new customer would apply for service soon after. This, however, has resulted in persons illegally connecting to the system without applying for service. The removal of these meters and service wires has considerably reduced the occurrence of electricity theft by this method.
Inspection of Residential Meters
We have been utilizing the services of specially trained Meter Inspectors since January 2009, as part of efforts to more quickly detect and respond to cases of meter tampering among residential customers. In addition to finding several cases of meter by-pass, this initiative has revealed other irregularities such as broken or missing meter seals.
Meter Sealing
A few years ago, we established an ongoing meter-sealing programme after identifying a number of meters with their seals removed to facilitate tampering. We have since discovered that the seals we currently use are available on the market, and easily accessible to persons inclined to tamper with meters, and replace our seals with their own. In light of this, we will be introducing the Tamper Evident Holographic Seal during the second quarter of 2009. These seals cannot be copied, and if violated, are easily detectable.
Arrest of perpetrators
Each year, several offenders are arrested and charged for electricity theft.
Community relations and public education
Our team members work with community groups to urge persons to access electricity service legally. This is done in conjunction with a sustained public education programme, aimed at highlighting the negative impact of electricity theft, and encouraging behaviour change.
YOU CAN HELP
Despite moderate success in reducing electricity theft, the problem is still prevalent. We need your help. Winning the fight against electricity theft must involve all stakeholders: legitimate customers, the Government, the security forces, citizen’s associations, and community leaders. Help eliminate electricity theft, call us today at 1-888-CALL JPS (225-5577).
