The amount of electricity stolen by marijuana growers rose by 5% last year but fewer plantations were discovered than in 2013, according to the Dutch electricity association Netbeheer Nederland.

The organisation estimates marijuana plantations accounted for almost one billion kilowatt hours of electricity last year, almost as much as the city of The Hague. In total, 4,700 plantations were discovered and dismantled.

Tapping electricity from legal sources can create dangerous situations and increase fire risks. The oganisation says people should be forced to show their identity papers when taking on an electricity contract. This will make it easier to find out who is using electricity and where, they say.

In addition, they say growers who have been caught stealing electricity should be forced to pay towards the cost of combating fraud.