29.04.2025 19:54
The General Manager of Dicle Electricity, Yaşar Arvas, stated that the increasing use of illegal electricity in the region, particularly in Şanlıurfa and Mardin, poses a threat to national energy security. Arvas mentioned that in the first four months of the year, 1.5 billion kWh of illegal electricity was consumed, saying, "Every 17 minutes, there is illegal usage equivalent to the price of a TOGG, resulting in an economic loss that could buy 86 TOGGs per day."
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Dicle Electricity General Manager Yaşar Arvas stated, "The uncontrolled increase in illegal electricity usage in agricultural irrigation, especially in Şanlıurfa and Mardin, has reached dimensions that threaten not only the energy system but also agriculture, the environment, and social order. Due to drought and the unconscious use of underground waters, record levels of illegal electricity consumption are being used to draw water from wells that reach depths of up to 850 meters. This situation has led to an excess energy consumption of 1.5 billion kWh in just the first four months of this year," he said.
80% OF ELECTRICITY USAGE IN ŞANLIURFA AND MARDIN IS ILLEGAL
Dicle Electricity, which serves in the Southeastern Anatolia Region, announced that the rapidly increasing illegal electricity usage due to agricultural irrigation threatens not only the region but all of Turkey. The statement noted that electricity consumption in agricultural irrigation, especially in Şanlıurfa and Mardin, has increased by approximately 300% compared to last year, with some areas seeing an increase of nearly 10 times, and that nearly 96% of this consumption is met through illegal electricity usage. It was emphasized that this situation causes imbalances in the national grid and that the high costs are burdened on all of Turkey. It was also reminded that energy, which Turkey is largely dependent on and is an expensive resource, is subsidized by the state to be offered to citizens at a lower cost.
"WATER IS BEING DRAWN FROM 850 METERS"
Dicle Electricity General Manager Yaşar Arvas shared that water is being drawn from a depth of 850 meters, the deepest level reached in irrigation wells, stating, "This record depth is a clear ecological alarm for our region. The uncontrolled and wild irrigation methods of consuming underground waters threaten both the ecosystem and the sustainability of agriculture. Transitioning to modern and correct irrigation methods for sustainable agriculture should no longer be a choice," he expressed.
"1.5 BILLION KWH OF ILLEGAL ELECTRICITY CONSUMED"
Arvas mentioned that water can only be drawn from these depths with very powerful motor pumps, which has pushed energy consumption to extraordinary levels, saying, "In the first four months of the year, an additional consumption of 1.5 billion kWh occurred solely for this reason. If the uncontrolled trend is not stopped, our national grid may face the risk of collapse," he warned.
OVER 10,000 ILLEGAL TRANSFORMERS DETECTED
In just the first three months of 2025, a total of 349 illegal transformers caught in Viranşehir, Şanlıurfa, were found to account for an unregistered consumption large enough to meet the electricity needs of over 72,000 people. In the districts of Mardin, hundreds of illegal transformers were found during the same period. Through operations supported by drones and artificial intelligence, Dicle Electricity detected over 10,000 illegal transformers, primarily in Şanlıurfa and Mardin.
According to the data shared by Dicle Electricity, the top five districts with the highest illegal consumption are listed as Viranşehir, Kızıltepe, Siverek, Ceylanpınar, and Derik. It was noted that these five districts alone accounted for approximately 2% of Turkey's total electricity consumption over three months.
"AN ECONOMIC VALUE OF 89 TOGG IS BEING LOST DAILY"
According to the distribution company's calculations, if consumption continues at this pace, it is expected that by the end of 2025, the amount of energy that cannot be billed due to illegal usage in six provinces will exceed 9.8 billion kWh. With the current market value, this amount corresponds to approximately 45 billion TL. According to this scenario, illegal usage occurs approximately every 17 minutes, equivalent to the price of a TOGG, resulting in an economic value loss that could purchase 86 TOGGs daily.
"A DIRECT SECURITY ISSUE"
Arvas emphasized that uncontrolled illegal electricity consumption causes significant harm to both the economy and the sustainability of energy supply, stating, "Excessive electricity consumption through illegal means leads to network failures and prolonged power outages, negatively affecting all subscriber groups, from our agricultural irrigation subscribers to commercial subscribers who do not use illegally and pay their bills on time. To illustrate the economic damage of illegal usage, we found 83 illegal transformers in just one village, each with a capacity of 200 KVA. The total cost of electricity consumed from these transformers throughout the season is 200 million TL. This situation confirms the reality that 'consumption in illegal usage has increased 9 to 10 times compared to normal.'" He also mentioned that Turkey has a permanent connection to the European electricity network ENTSO-E, and that the increase in uncontrolled illegal consumption threatens this integration, stating, "Illegal electricity, which disrupts the economy and social order, is not just an energy crisis but a direct security issue," he expressed.
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