Electricity Theft Problem and Effects of Privatization Policies on Distribution Losses of Turkey
Abstract
In the last decade, the increasing of electric energy demand in Turkeyhas realized as 5.5% annually. This rapid increase in demand obliges thecountry to make energy investments continuously and ensure security of energy sources.In addition to energy investments, effective use of available resources is oneof the most important components of sustainable development policies. In thisstudy, technical and non-technical losses of power transmission anddistribution systems and the size of these losses have been analyzed in Turkey.The effects of privatization for distribution services on such losses arepresented by comparing them with analysis of statistical data. As a result ofthe study, it has been determined that the privatization process did not createa positive effect especially on zones using huge amount of illegal electricalenergy. However, it has been determined that positive developments haveoccurred after the privatization at many distribution centers in terms oflosses in general and the target values have been obtained. By considering thatthe privatization process was completed at the end of 2013, the scope andconclusions of this study can be developed further by obtaining the data forthe future decade for more definite analysis.