Revenue protection in a competitive supply environment

For over 100 years electricity meters have been used to measure what has been supplied so that the provider of the supply can translate this measurement into charges the tariff-to recover his costs from the customer. Human nature being what it is, there have, from earliest times, been customers who have sought to avoid payment for electricity consumed by tampering/interfering with the meter or supply equipment to prevent correct recording of consumption. Such interference is effectively theft. This paper indicates how arrangements to permit competition in the supply of electricity in the UK have led to a re-evaluation of the way in which theft should be treated and has detailed the new procedures which have been put in place. It draws attention to the basic principles related to preserving security as technology changes the meters and metering systems being used, pointing to specific examples where possible. Whilst technology can play a part, organisational aspects are important as even the most complex and high technology measures can be compromised by an "own goal" if basic management systems are inadequate. There is obvious benefit in a marriage of tried and trusted revenue protection methods with technology and the UKRPA (UK Revenue Protection Association)has established a specific technical subgroup to pursue this to the ultimate benefit of both customers and shareholders of electricity companies