Multiple Romanians swapped electricity suppliers in June, in anticipation of the upcoming price cap elimination.
In a significant shift for Romania's energy sector, households are actively switching electricity providers in large numbers, primarily due to the end of electricity price caps that had been in place for four years. This expiration, effective from July 1, 2025, has led to significant increases in electricity bills for many households, prompting consumers to look for more competitive and affordable alternatives in the market.
To mitigate the impact of rising energy costs on vulnerable consumers, the Romanian government has introduced a monthly energy voucher system for low-income households. This measure, effective from July 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, provides financial support to 2.1 million households to help cover increased electricity bills after the price caps were lifted.
Company officials from Hidroelectrica, Romania's largest electricity producer, have reported receiving between 10,000 and 11,000 new requests each day, suggesting a surge in consumer interest. Hidroelectrica currently offers the most competitive rates for household consumers.
George Niculescu, the president of the National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE), has emphasized the use of ANRE's online comparison tool (posf.ro) for consumers to evaluate available offers and switch to the best one. According to the comparison tool, some offers in the market have improved, with prices going down and becoming more competitive.
The removal of price caps implies that market competition is now the main mechanism driving rates. Consumers might find competitive rates with providers leveraging renewable infrastructure or offering flexible contracts aligned with the evolving energy market. Romania is investing in large-scale solar projects to boost renewable energy availability and possibly lower long-term costs, making providers offering sustainable energy solutions potentially more attractive.
Niculescu has also warned that opportunistic suppliers can choose to give up their license if they continue with unjustifiably high offers, anything over RON 5/kWh. He has stated that ANRE will not tolerate unjustifiably high offers and will maintain a watchful eye on the market to ensure fair competition.
Switching providers remains free of charge and can be completed in up to 21 days. Niculescu has reiterated that the power of choice lies with the consumer, encouraging them to take advantage of the opportunity to find the best deal for their needs. In his recent Facebook post, he stated that consumers are valuing their money and paying close attention to market offers.
As Romania returns to a liberalized energy market, the focus is on competition, sustainability, and consumer empowerment. With the government's support and the availability of tools like the posf.ro comparison tool, consumers now have the opportunity to make informed decisions and secure the best electricity deals for their households.
In light of the increasing competitiveness in Romania's energy sector, households are now considering their options in the finance industry, as they aim to find more affordable electricity providers offering competitive rates, particularly those with renewable infrastructure or flexible contracts. As Nicholascu emphasizes, using the National Energy Regulatory Authority's (ANRE) online comparison tool (posf.ro) can help households evaluate available offers and switch to the best one, potentially benefiting from reduced prices and sustainable energy solutions.
