The company Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) is facing significant financial losses due to the vandalization of equipment, energy theft and clandestine connections throughout the country. According to the Mozambican Information Agency (AIM), in the last five years EDM has recorded an estimated loss of 27.6 billion meticais (around 433 million dollars) due to these problems.
Marcelina Sambo Chaúque, head of the Commercial and Technical Department at EDM, pointed out that the losses have been especially alarming in urban areas, such as the cities of Maputo and Matola, as well as border and isolated areas. In 2022 and 2023, losses from these phenomena totaled 12.6 billion meticais. In 2023, the company lost 5.8 billion meticais due to energy theft and clandestine connections, compared to the 6.7 billion meticais lost in 2022.
Chaúque also revealed that the losses resulting from vandalization in 2023 were estimated at 80.9 million meticais. Despite this, the company recorded an overall reduction in losses, with a reduction of 23%, of which 22.4% was related to energy theft and clandestine connections, and a reduction of 68.5% in the vandalizing of electrical equipment.
The cities and provinces of Maputo and Tete were singled out as places with a high rate of theft and clandestine connections, while vandalization was more intense in Nampula.
EDM is taking measures to combat these problems, including opening reports at police stations against citizens involved in clandestine connections and vandalism, as well as charging back for stolen or billed energy. The company also intends to implement a regional strategy, involving the engagement of communities and cooperation with other national institutions, such as Caminhos-de-Ferro de Moçambique (CFM), Tmcel, Vodacom, Mozambique Airports, Municipalities and the National Roads Administration, as well as carrying out inspections in areas with a high rate of losses.
