Endesa detects two electricity frauds in the Balearic Islands every day.

PalmEndesa has detected 732 electricity frauds in the Balearic Islands in the first six months of the year, equivalent to an average of two cases per day, with defrauded electricity consumption of more than 10 million kilowatt hours. The manipulation of electrical installations to commit fraud is, as recently noted by the National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC), a growing problem that harms all consumers and poses risks to public safety.

According to a statement from the electricity company, electricity fraud poses a clear risk of electrocution and fire, which can affect not only the person tampering with the installations but also the people around them. In recent years, very serious incidents have resulted in injuries and even deaths due to tampering with electrical installations to steal electricity.

Electricity fraud also entails an economic cost for all consumers through their bills and has very detrimental effects on the quality of the electricity supply.

Marijuana plantations

One of the causes of these problems are marijuana plantations inside apartments, houses or buildings, known as plantations. indoor, which use sophisticated electrical installations illegally connected to the grid with high consumption 24 hours a day, causing havoc on electrical installations.

Data from the European Drug Report 2025 indicates that Spain accounts for 73% of all marijuana plant seizures recorded in the EU, a large part of which are grown in these facilities. indoorEach of these greenhouses consumes a power equivalent to that of approximately 80 homes of approximately 100 m2.

AI as an ally against fraud

Apart from the collaboration with the Security Forces, Endesa has been using models of Machine learning and Deep learning (machine learning and deep learning) to be more efficient in combating energy theft. It uses existing inspection history across the twelve million supply points, consumption patterns, information on metering equipment, and even weather information, all of which are used to more accurately detect the likelihood of fraud.

The use of AI, combined with information provided by innovations such as advanced monitoring equipment installed in the distribution network, helps to better narrow down the source of fraud within a supply group.

Spain is the only European country that does not provide for a prison sentence for electrical fraud, unlike France, Portugal, Italy, and Germany. Under Spanish law, this crime does not include aggravating factors or count toward repeat offenses, regardless of whether it is used to fuel massive cannabis plantations or may be behind fires with serious consequences.