ESB have said that since 2012, metal theft has cost them €27 million.
27,000 householders and business owners suffered a loss of power supply this year.
A campaign set up by The Gardaí and ESB networks was launched today and is under-way to stop theft of electricity cables, metal, copper wires and other materials.
Several people have been injured and at least one person died due to the theft of electric cables.
Irish businesses such as Iarnród Éireann, An Post and Eircom are being affected.