Over 700 meters of power cables were stolen in the Serrana Region of Brazil, contributing to an overall 8.2% increase in similar crimes across the state according to Enel Rio.
In Brazil's Serrana Region, over 700 meters of power cables were reported stolen in 2025, which is part of a larger trend of increasing thefts documented by Enel Rio. The company's report reveals a significant rise of 8.2% in cable theft incidents within its service area, highlighting the growing challenges of maintaining infrastructure integrity and service reliability. The total amount of stolen cables over the year amounted to 13.2 kilometers, a striking distance equivalent to that of the iconic Rio-Niterói Bridge, demonstrating the scale of the problem.
A staggering 17,000 customers across the 66 cities serviced by Enel Rio were affected by these thefts, marking a 7.3% increase from the previous year. The consequences extend beyond mere inconvenience; according to José Luis Salas, Enel Rio's director of Networks, such thefts result in frequent interruptions and fluctuations in power supply. This not only impedes the reliability of service for residents and businesses but also necessitates extensive repair efforts from the utility's workforce, putting additional strain on resources and operational efficiency.
Moreover, Salas cautioned about the inherent dangers of cable theft, which include risks of electric shocks and the potential for fires. He noted that the most affected areas include the North, Lakes, and Metropolitan regions of the state, signifying a troubling pattern that may require increased law enforcement and community engagement to address the root causes of these thefts, improve public safety, and ensure a stable power supply for all affected areas.
