Brazil electricity consumers pay over R$7 billion yearly for theft and fraud

Data presented to the Chamber of Deputies show that Brazilian electricity consumers were charged more than R$ 7 billion per year in 2024 and 2025 to cover “non‑technical losses” – theft, illegal connections and meter tampering. The losses amounted to 40 TWh, or 6.6 % of total generation, with a total cost of R$ 10.3 billion split among consumers (R$ 7.1 billion), distributors (R$ 3.3 billion) and the government (R$ 1 billion). The Brazilian Association of Electricity Distributors (Abradee) recorded R$ 11.3 billion in losses in 2025, of which R$ 7.8 billion were passed on to tariffs.

The problem is concentrated in the North and Southeast regions, where distributors in Amazonas and Rio de Janeiro face the highest non‑technical losses. Flávia Pederneiras of Aneel explained that the tariff for Amazonas Energia could be about 13 % lower and Light’s residential tariff about 9.1 % lower without the theft‑related costs. Cable theft rose to 25 000 cases in 2025, causing R$ 97 million in losses and safety risks. A new law (Law 15.181/25) that raises penalties for these crimes is expected to curb the issue from 2026. The Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) described the cost to honest consumers as an “invisible tax” that fuels a “death spiral” in the electricity sector, while consumer groups call for a reform of tariff‑calculation methodology.