A new project that is expected to be implemented from 2027 concerns the licensing of energy trading activities, with the aim of professionalising the sector rather than increasing bureaucracy, President of the National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) George Niculescu said on Tuesday at an industry event.
"We have a very interesting project: it concerns the licensing of energy trading activities. It is a concept that the regulatory authority wants to implement as of 2027. A concept that should not be seen as an increase in bureaucracy, as if we were creating another licence, another authorisation or another bureaucratic requirement for carrying out this activity, but rather as the professionalisation of this activity. If there are companies applying to the regulatory authority for a licence to carry out this trading activity, allow me to say that, in many cases, I see the same CVs being used by several companies. So, in practice, who actually carries out those transactions on the energy market? Are they carried out by the people whose CVs accompany the applicants' applications or by other people? In this respect, if we introduce this licence under which an individual is licensed to carry out this kind of activity, I believe the level of responsibility in the energy market will increase, this activity will become more professional and, at the end of the day, I believe everyone stands to gain," Niculescu said.
According to the ANRE official, 133 Technical Connection Approvals (ATR) expired in the last three months of 2026.
"The high number of megawatts continued in 2026. We are somewhere around 113 gigawatts of ATRs issued, some of which are now starting to expire. I believe that, one year after this change was made, we can carry out a proper assessment and see the exact effects that have taken place. Also, in the last three months, we have had establishment permits for around 3,550 megawatts issued, divided by technology: establishment permits with terms of 12 months, 24 months or 36 months, depending on how complex the project is. (...) So, basically, for these approximately 3,550 megawatts, it is just a matter of time before they come online and start producing and feeding electricity into the grid. In terms of licences, also in the last three months, I believe we have more than 1,250 newly licensed megawatts, projects that have reached maturity, projects that have obtained absolutely all the approvals from the network operators and have also been licensed by the ANRE. In practice, their electricity is currently in the system," the head of ANRE underscored.
He also spoke about the investments that need to be made in the national energy sector.
"Clearly, from our point of view, the level of investment in distribution networks needs to be higher. (...) In 2024, according to data we have from the ACER [the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators], Romania had investment in distribution networks of around 32 euros per capita, compared with Poland, which invested 80 euros per capita, Germany, 98 euros per capita, and Austria, 87 euros per capita. These are countries with a much higher level of investment per capita than distribution network operators in Romania are managing," George Niculescu mentioned.
The ANRE president also pointed out that, under the current regulatory framework, "we are not seeing investment in distribution networks at the level it should be."
Energy decision-makers are discussing investment, opportunities and competitiveness on Tuesday at a specialist conference organised by InvesTenergy, under the patronage of the ANRE.
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