Electricity theft costs millions to the CFE

When a state-owned company presents economic losses , the general population has to pay the price, as in the case of the MXN $100,000 million the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) lost.

As a result of electricity theft , the company lost around MXN $60,000 million each year , while arrearage costs the company MXN $43,000 million.

This economic issue developed for years until it reached the current levels. The CFE and Pemex were the main income sources for the country's finances for years, as well as the most important lever for development. Currently, the economic situation of both is not the best. How long will this situation last?

Out of the 40.6 million clients the CFE has in the country, almost 8 million users have missed their payments , that is, two in every 10 clients don't pay their utility bill.

The majority of the defaulting debtors of all types: domestic users, businesses, service providers, the agriculture industry, and small and medium businesses , are located in seven states: Mexico, Tabasco, Mexico City, Chiapas, Guanajuato, Guerrero, and Veracruz .

The numbers registered in Mexico City are an example of how the problem has worsened in plain view. In 2012 , the number of domestic users who didn't pay their utility bill was 301,000 but in August 2018 , the number increased to 1,150,000 users , almost half of the total number of users with a contract, which is 2,775,000.

In July 2018, the CFE calculated a net-worth loss of MXN $5,161 million in Mexico City only. The numbers from January 2019 show that the losses are now calculated at MXN $6,105 million.

Somehow, society has to pay the price of the resources that don't make it to the CFE coffers. For example, in Mexico City , the service relays on the payments made by six out of 10 users. If everyone fulfilled their duty, the tariffs could even decrease.

It's also quite serious that Mexico loses investment and growth opportunities in regards to electricity because of the debt caused by millions of users.

Receiving a public service and not paying for it has been “normal” for millions of people. If the current scenario, a government with overwhelming support from society, is not used to eliminate this practice , this would only encourage the economic downturn of the CFE.

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