- Tampering with electrical installations harms all consumers and creates serious safety risks for people.
Endesa, through its distribution subsidiary e-distribución, has detected more than 32,000 cases of electricity fraud in the first six months of the year. That amounts to an average of over 175 cases a day —more than seven every hour— with electricity consumption equivalent to that of nearly 117,000 households. According to the National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC), tampering with electrical installations to commit fraud is a growing problem that affects all consumers and creates serious public safety risks.
Behind electricity fraud lies the very real danger of electrocution and fire, which can harm not only those manipulating the installations but also the people around them. In recent years, several serious incidents —including injuries and even fatalities— have been caused by illegal alterations to electrical systems.
Fraud also comes with an economic cost for all consumers, passed on through electricity bills, and has a highly damaging impact on the quality of power supply.
Marijuana plantations
One of the main drivers of electricity fraud is indoor marijuana cultivation. These farms are carried out in apartments, houses, or buildings with sophisticated electrical setups illegally connected to the grid. Such systems consume massive amounts of power 24 hours a day, wreaking havoc on electrical infrastructure.
According to the European Drug Report 2025, Spain accounts for 73% of all marijuana plant seizures in the EU, much of which comes from indoor grow operations. Each of these setups requires as much electricity as approximately 80 homes of around 100 m2.
Between January and June, authorities dismantled an average of six indoor plantations a day within Endesa's distribution areas. The amount of energy recovered in these fraud cases reached 111 million kWh, equivalent to the consumption of more than 31,700 households.
Endesa’s collaboration with law enforcement is essential in the fight against fraud. This relationship was also recently strengthened through an agreement with the General Commissariat of the Judicial Police of the National Police to step up prevention and investigation of crimes that affect essential services for the production, distribution, and supply of electricity.
AI as an ally against fraud
Alongside its collaboration with law enforcement, Endesa has also been using machine learning and deep learning models since 2017 to improve efficiency in combating energy theft. These models are based on a variety of data, including historical inspection records across 12 million supply points, consumption patterns, metering equipment information, and even weather data. Together, they allow for more accurate detection of fraud probability.
AI, combined with innovations such as advanced monitoring equipment being installed on the distribution grid, helps narrow down the likely origin of fraud within a group of supply points. Once in the field, tools such as clamp meters and videoscopes help Endesa’s teams expose fraudulent connections.
Spain is the only country in its region that does not impose prison sentences for electricity fraud, unlike France, Portugal, Italy, or Germany. Under Spanish law, this crime does not include aggravating factors, nor does it count toward repeat offences —even when it is linked to large-scale cannabis plantations or when it causes fires with severe consequences.
About Endesa
Endesa is the leading electricity company in Spain and the second largest in Portugal. It is also the second largest gas operator in the Spanish market. Endesa operates an integrated business model spanning electricity generation, distribution, and supply. Furthermore, the company offers value-added services focused on the electrification of energy use for households, businesses, and public administrations. Endesa is committed to the United Nations’ SDGs and corporate social responsibility. In the latter area, it also operates through the Endesa Foundation. Our team comprises around 9,000 employees. Endesa is part of Enel, a multinational electricity company and an integrated leading player in global energy and renewables markets [1].
[1] Enel's leadership in the various categories is defined by comparison with the financial data of its counterparts in the year 2024. Reference perimeter: publicly traded companies without majority state ownership.