Illegal consumption of energy will be punished more severely

The Government approved a draft law amending the Penal Code, which stipulates more severe fines for illegal consumption of gas and heat and electricity. Consumers risk being fined 100-250 conventional units (1 conventional unit equals 20 lei) or penalised with 180-240 hours of social work for damaging, altering or blocking the measuring devices or for using illegal installations. In case of legal entities, the same actions will be fined 700-1000 conventional units. Penalties for “considerable” damage made to the supplier will constitute fines of 150-350 conventional units, or imprisonment for 1 to 3 years, while for legal entities the fines will amount to 1000-1500 conventional units. Penalties for “extremely substantial” damage made to the supplier will constitute fines of 350-500 conventional units, or imprisonment for 3 to 5 years, while for legal entities the fines will amount to 1500-2500 conventional units. Damaging, altering or removing the installation components of the producers, transportation units and suppliers will be penalised with fines amounting to 150-350 conventional units or imprisonment for a period of six months up to 1 year. According to the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure, the number of cases of illegal energy consumption is growing. Union Fenosa reported losses of 99 million kWh. MoldovaGaz recorded in the same year losses of about 5 million lei.