Romania takes a decisive step for energy communities, and after nearly three years of waiting and requests from local authorities and civil society, the normative act establishing the necessary legal framework was adopted, so that citizens, city halls, NGOs and small enterprises can produce, manage and consume renewable energy together, Greenpeace Romania underscores in a release sent to AGERPRES on Thursday.
"Today, November 6, in the Government meeting, the draft law amending and supplementing the Emergency Ordinance no. 163/2022 on promoting the use of energy from renewable sources was adopted. The act addresses gaps in the transposition of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (RED II) from OUG 163/2022, which had left an incomplete and inapplicable framework for local initiatives. The lack of clear definitions and procedures had blocked the formation of energy communities, leaving Romania among the last European states without a functional legal basis for citizens' involvement in the energy transition. Energy communities will finally be able to install and manage renewable energy sources at local level, share the energy produced and retain economic benefits at the local level - it will create jobs, increase social inclusion and reduce energy poverty. The new framework clarifies how these communities can be established and operated, sets rules for energy exchange among members and provides a basis for active participation of citizens, city halls and local enterprises in the energy transition," the environment organization pointed out.
According to the normative act, the National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) is required to draft several regulations and methodologies in the coming months and by December 31, 2025, it must adopt the procedure for establishing the Energy Communities Registry, which will allow for their official registration and recognition. Subsequently, by February 28, 2026, the regulatory authority must establish the methodology for analyzing the costs and benefits of sharing renewable energy within the grid, and by March 31, 2026, it must approve the conditions for the use of storage capacities of communities and their members.
"It is a long-awaited step for citizens and local administrations across the country - a step that people, local authorities and civil society have fought hard for. We call on the ANRE to urgently draft the implementing regulations that will make the law functional and on the Ministry of Investments and European Projects to unlock funds from the just transition, so that this legal framework can quickly turn into real projects - clean energy produced and used together," Campaign coordinator at Greenpeace Romania Andrei Craciun said.
According to the quoted source, the adoption of the new legislative act marks the recognition of the fact that Romania can build a clean, decentralized, democratic and equitable energy future.
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