Electricity theft in Spain has reached record levels. Over the past five years, the amount of illegally consumed electricity has equaled the total annual demand of Barcelona and Sevilla combined. New figures from the energy sector are raising concerns about organised crime and the rapid growth of indoor cannabis cultivation.
Sharp Increase Since 2021
According to energy company Endesa, the volume of stolen electricity between 2021 and 2026 corresponds to the consumption of more than one million Spanish households. In 2025 alone, around 72,700 cases of electricity fraud were detected, averaging approximately 200 cases per day – the highest figure recorded in five years.
Most of the stolen electricity is not linked to energy poverty, but rather to organised operations. A significant share is attributed to illegal indoor cannabis farms where electricity is directly connected to the grid without metering.
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Cannabis Grow Operations Drive Consumption
Indoor cannabis cultivation requires powerful lighting systems, ventilation and climate control equipment. A single large-scale grow operation can consume as much electricity as up to 80 average homes. Authorities and energy providers state that this type of activity represents a growing share of illegal grid connections.
In addition to cannabis cultivation, industrial premises and larger commercial operations have also been identified as sources of meter tampering and illegal connections.
Impact on the Grid and Society
Electricity theft not only results in financial losses for energy companies but also affects supply quality and can cause local power outages. Illegal installations also increase the risk of fires.
Energy companies have therefore intensified inspections, technical monitoring and cooperation with police authorities. Efforts are particularly focused on organised networks connected to illegal cultivation and distribution.
The development highlights how energy issues are increasingly linked to the expanding underground cannabis economy in Spain, where electricity consumption has become a key indicator in identifying illegal operations.
Source
Electricity theft in Spain over the past five years equals annual needs of Barcelona and Seville
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