A comprehensive analysis of energy theft in the UK

Energy theft has been a significant safety concern in power systems since the industry's origins in the 19th century. In 2023, rising energy prices led to record-high cases of energy theft in the UK, with stolen energy estimated to be valued between £830 million to £1.388 billion. This unprecedented theft not only drove up energy costs but also created serious safety risks due to dangerous illegal connections. However, most research on energy theft focuses on detection methods and often assumes it is mainly a problem in developing countries. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of energy theft in the UK, examining societal and industry-led efforts to combat it. Moreover, it highlights areas where the industry could improve to effectively identify and mitigate energy theft.