Electricity theft damages 100 transformers in Diyarbakir

Sitki Ebiloglu, institutional director of the Turkish Electricity Distribution Corporation (TEDAS), said 63 percent of electricity usage in the province was not being paid for and was consequently illegal.

According the Ebiloglu, 450 transformer stations have been damaged in the last six months. "Some of the stations are irreparable and some required TL 2 billion in repairs. Though illegal use of electricity is very common for heating in winter, burnt stations result in the loss of both electricity and revunes," said Ebiloglu.

Ebiloglu has already employed 40 people to track down the offenders and has plans to increase this number if efforts prove successful. Anyone found abusing the energy system will face prosecution and lawsuits.