EES Reports ETB 50 Million Losses Due to Theft and Vandalism, Takes Action Against Corruption

The Ethiopian Electric Service (EES) has reported losses exceeding ETB 50 million over the past seven months due to widespread crimes targeting its infrastructure. Incidents such as power theft, transformer and cable theft, meter tampering, and damage to power lines have severely disrupted services and strained the institution’s resources. These acts of vandalism and theft have not only caused financial losses but also highlighted the vulnerability of the country’s electrical grid.

In response to these challenges, EES is actively monitoring 163 criminal cases related to these offenses. So far, 11 cases have been resolved, resulting in 13 defendants receiving prison sentences ranging from two months to 10 years, alongside fines of up to ETB 50,000. The institution emphasized that these legal actions are part of a broader effort to deter future crimes and protect critical infrastructure.

At the same time, EES is addressing internal issues, having taken administrative action against 22 executives and employees following allegations of malpractice and corruption. The measures, which included written warnings for three individuals and fines for 19 others, were prompted by customer complaints and an internal review. This dual focus on external crime and internal accountability underscores the institution’s commitment to improving service delivery and restoring public trust.

In addition to tackling theft and misconduct, EES has intensified efforts to recover unpaid utility bills. The institution issued warnings to 368 customers who had defaulted on payments, successfully collecting approximately ETB 127.8 million in outstanding fees.