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Electricity fraud soars in Conca de Barberà: nearly doubles in 2025

The region records 58 cases and over 1.4 million kWh defrauded, with Montblanc, L'Espluga, and Sarral leading.

Generic image of an electric meter with a fraud warning.
IA

Generic image of an electric meter with a fraud warning.

Conca de Barberà has seen electricity fraud nearly double during 2025, with 58 cases detected and over 1.4 million kWh defrauded.

The trend of electricity fraud in Conca de Barberà has seen a sustained increase during 2025. 58 cases have been detected, a figure that almost doubles the 32 recorded the previous year. The defrauded energy amounts to 1,429,827 kWh, an amount equivalent to the annual consumption of over 400 households, highlighting the severity of the problem in this region.
According to data provided by Endesa, the municipality of Montblanc leads the statistics with 23 cases and 458,642 kWh defrauded. Among the notable cases are those linked to marijuana plantations, which concentrate high energy consumption. Following this is l'Espluga de Francolí with 11 cases and 175,717 kWh, and Sarral, which has experienced a significant increase with seven cases and 124,256 kWh, mainly associated with small consumers and domestic hookups. Other towns such as Vimbodí i Poblet, Vilaverd, Solivella, and Barberà de la Conca have also registered relevant cases, demonstrating that energy fraud affects both large consumers and occasional supplies in smaller areas.
The phenomenon of energy fraud is predominantly driven by marijuana plantations and large consumers, who account for more than half of the defrauded energy. Small domestic supplies, on the other hand, contribute only 5% to the total. In addition to the direct economic impact, these illegal practices cause overloads on the electrical grid, increase the risk of fires, and lead to electrocutions, as well as causing supply interruptions that affect the daily lives of residents.
To combat this issue, Endesa is implementing advanced technological solutions, including smart meters, sensors, and artificial intelligence. Furthermore, collaboration with law enforcement agencies is being strengthened, especially in municipalities with a high incidence of fraud. The recent Organic Law 1/2026 toughens sanctions for repeat offenders, including fines and prison sentences for those linked to marijuana cultivation.
Although Conca de Barberà represents a small percentage of electricity fraud at the Catalan level, the critical points detected in the region continue to put pressure on the grid and affect the security and quality of the supply. This makes control and prevention a priority for both distribution companies and public administrations.

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