Romania plugs in new electricity law: higher fines and tariffs, independent carrier, intelligent meters

The new legislation in the energy field, approved by the Romanian Government last week and now in the hands of the Parliament will bring some major changes to Romania's energy market, if enforced as proposed. Fines will go up ten fold, to a maximum of 10 percent of turnover for the company which infringes the electricity law, according to Economy Minister Lucian Bode.

Final consumers will be guaranteed the switch to a new electricity supplier in three weeks, based on transparent procedures, the Minister promises. The project also features intelligent current-meters which can give real-time data about the consumption and price of electricity, while including the liberalization of energy prices – we wrote about the liberalization here. Romanians will have intelligent current-meters by 2020, keeping up with the liberalization and allowing for a more transparent system. They would provide info at any time on the amount of electricity used and the price paid for it. At least 80 percent of electricity consumers should have these meters installed by 2020. The new legislation tackles criteria for hiring staff at the Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE), whose president and vice-president will be named by the Romanian president and have a six-year mandate. Members in ANRE's regulation committee should have at least five year of experience in the energy market and their mandates will be of up to seven years. The country's electricity grid manager and carrier Transelectrica will be moved from the Economy Ministry under a new ministry, as the Economy one also owns energy producers and several electricity supply companies, in a move that would allow Transelectrica's independence. editor@romania-insider.com (photo source: Arhivafoto.ro)