© MARC HERREMANS – MEDIAHUIS
Last year, distribution network operator Fluvius detected more than 22 million euros worth of energy fraud. Flemish Minister of Energy Zuhal Demir (N-VA) reported this in a press release.
“Any form of fraud is unacceptable, including energy fraud,” the minister said in the press release about Fluvius’ annual energy fraud report. “It concerns public money and every euro recovered from it can go back to families and SMEs through a reduction in network rates. The fight against energy fraud is de facto a fight for lower grid rates.”
Every year, Fluvius must report to Demir on the fight against energy fraud before May 1. The minister points out that increasing local energy production also involves new forms of energy fraud, such as through green energy certificates, inspection certificates and the illegal tapping of electricity.
In 2023, 7.5 million euros worth of green energy certificates will be recovered. It is also estimated that 14.8 million euros in future payouts have been avoided. “Together this amounts to 22.3 million euros, which will be charged less in the energy bill,” it says.
Fluvius also carries out flow measurements at the request of the police services, to detect possible drug plantations. As in 2022, the distribution system operator mainly carried out measurements in the province of Limburg.
