Electricity company Endesa detected nearly 5,500 cases of electricity fraud in Barcelona during 2025, according to data released by the company on Monday. Specifically, 5,487 irregularities were found in the Catalan capital, an increase of 891 cases compared to the 4,596 recorded in 2024. This equates to an average of 15 frauds daily last year, marking a 19% rise.
Across Catalonia, Endesa's balance sheet shows a total of 24,347 electricity frauds in 2025, a 7% increase from 2024's figure of 22,784. This means an average of 67 cases were detected daily across the region, or "one every three hours," the company stated in a press release.
Impact of Illegal Connections
The manipulations defrauded over 486 GWh of electricity, which is equivalent to the annual consumption of nearly 140,000 homes. This amount of energy could power a town like Sant Feliu de Llobregat or Lloret de Mar for an entire year. Endesa highlighted that this data "shows the magnitude of a problem that puts people's physical safety at risk, deteriorates the quality of electricity supply, and increases everyone's bills."
Across all territories where Endesa operates in Spain, the company detected 72,700 cases of electricity fraud last year, 1,700 more than in 2024. This averages out to eight cases per hour, or nearly 200 cases daily.
Types of Fraud and Consequences
About 60% of the detected fraud cases involved illegal connections without a contract. The remaining 40% occurred in installations with regular supply but manipulated meters. Endesa noted that marijuana plantations and large consumers, ranging from industries to businesses, account for most of the defrauded energy, indicating a growing professionalisation of fraud.
The company warned that these practices directly affect the electricity grid, potentially causing power cuts in areas with high concentrations of fraud. Endesa also reported that its workers have suffered about 100 assaults in the last four years, with 58 of these occurring in 2025, during operations to dismantle illegal connections.
To combat this situation, Endesa has strengthened its detection systems and increased collaboration with security forces. In 2025, the company carried out 22,000 inspections and actions on nearly 6,000 irregular supplies.
