Spanish energy companies are concerned about the growing number of illegal cannabis plantations in the country. According to Endesa, one of the country’s largest electricity companies, these plantations consume as much electricity annually as Seville, a city of nearly 700,000.
The plantations would consume 2,200 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity annually. The energy company says it has uncovered 190,000 cases of this type of electricity fraud in the past three years, and more than 55,000 fines were imposed last year.
Danger
According to Endesa, each plantation consumes as much electricity as 80 houses. The electricity needed for lighting and ventilation is obtained through illegal connections. “These illegal practices seriously endanger the safety of citizens,” said José Manuel Revuelta, director of Endesa to the Spanish newspaper Cinco Dias. “This endangers the energy supply of the residents.” The company says it plans to work with authorities to address the issue.
According to official data, 3.3 million cannabis plants will be seized in Spain in 2021. This is 96% more than in the previous year and 240% more than in 2018. Most of the cases involved plantations in private homes.
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
