A surge in electricity theft is sweeping across Greece, particularly in
A surge in electricity theft is sweeping across Greece, particularly in tourist-heavy regions such as the Aegean islands and Attica, with hundreds of businesses – from hotels to cafés and supermarkets – siphoning off power without paying a cent. The issue, exposed through intensified inspections, is now causing financial damage estimated in the tens of millions.
According to the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO), electricity theft cases jumped by more than 30% compared to the same period last year, reaching 9,727 incidents so far in 2025. The estimated value of the stolen energy is around €40 million. Since November 2024 alone, over €6.1 million worth of thefts have already been confirmed, with nearly 5,600 more cases under investigation.
Despite the alarming figures, only about €1.2 million has been recovered. In total, stolen energy over the last eight months amounted to 21.3 gigawatt-hours.
Tourist Businesses Leading the Charge
New inspections uncovered numerous commercial operations, particularly in popular summer destinations, running without energy supply contracts. In Rethymno, businesses such as olive mills, supermarkets, and food packaging plants were operating entirely off the books. A similar case was found in a well-known restaurant in Mykonos.
In one of the most egregious
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