Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) must proactively utilize its smart meter infrastructure to detect and deter illegal electricity consumption, particularly from cryptocurrency mining operations. Recent reports, including a case where a landlord faced a staggering RM1.1 million electricity bill due to a tenant’s unauthorized cryptocurrency mining activities, underscore the critical need for enhanced monitoring and enforcement measures.
By right, TNB should act within hours of unusually high consumption, with the aid of its smart meters providing real time data. I call on the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) and the Energy Commission to update the rules governing TNB in the interest of protecting the ordinary rakyat from electricity thefts.
While cryptocurrency mining itself is not inherently illegal, its high energy consumption can lead to exorbitant electricity bills for unsuspecting consumers and place significant strain on the national grid. Moreover, a 2024 report by The New Straits Times revealed substantial losses for TNB, estimating illicit bitcoin mining activities to have cost the company RM3.4 billion.
Beyond cryptocurrency mining, other forms of illegal electricity usage, such as meter tampering and illegal connections, contribute to annual losses ranging from RM100 million to RM200 million.
These losses not only impact TNB’s bottom line but also place an undue burden on taxpayers, given TNB’s guaranteed profit model.
To effectively combat illegal electricity usage, TNB must implement a multi-pronged approach that includes:
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Enhanced Smart Meter Analytics: TNB should leverage the capabilities of its smart meter infrastructure to analyze real-time consumption data. This analysis should focus on identifying unusual patterns and flagging potential cases of excessive electricity usage, with a particular emphasis on detecting anomalies indicative of cryptocurrency mining operations.
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Development of Robust Algorithms: TNB must invest in the development and refinement of sophisticated algorithms that can accurately distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate electricity consumption patterns. These algorithms should be continuously updated and improved to adapt to evolving methods of illegal electricity usage.
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Strengthened Enforcement Measures: TNB should collaborate closely with relevant authorities, such as law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies, to investigate and prosecute individuals and businesses involved in illegal electricity usage, including cryptocurrency mining activities.