In the municipalities of Berane and Andrijevica, unknown individuals stole transformer oil from four pole-mounted substations over the previous weekend. During an inspection, our teams discovered the theft and replenished the missing oil—more than 400 litres.
This time, transformer oil was stolen from three substations in the municipality of Andrijevica (Rudo Brdo, Zabrđe 1, Gradišnica), as well as from the “Jugovine” substation (Berane), which has now become a regular target for oil theft. CEDIS is particularly concerned that this is the 101st recorded theft of distribution network components in Region 3 (Berane, Rožaje, Andrijevica, Plav, Petnjica, Gusinje) since August 2015. The actual number is much higher, but a significant number of cases go undetected because perpetrators leave a small amount of oil in the transformer to prevent or delay equipment failure.
Also concerning is the fact that repeated damage to facilities, particularly in the area along the boundary between the municipalities of Berane and Andrijevica, has not resulted in the perpetrators being identified and sanctioned. We therefore once again appeal to the competent authorities to take the necessary measures to finally curb this type of theft.
The “Jugovine” substation, from which transformer oil has been stolen twice in the past 20 days, is connected to the “Dolac” power line, which is being reconstructed as part of the €30 million project to revitalise the medium- and low-voltage networks. This will significantly improve electricity supply to rural areas over the next three years. The transformer from which the oil is being stolen is new and was recently installed as part of the aforementioned project.
We once again remind the public that any unauthorised access to electricity facilities is extremely dangerous.
For negligible material gain, individuals risk their lives, disrupt the regular supply of electricity and cause damage to the distribution system that far exceeds any potential profit.
