Romania’s National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) is tightening the rules for connecting and licensing new electricity generation projects. The connection guarantee will rise from 5% to 20% of the grid connection fee, while new financial guarantees will also be introduced for capacity allocation auctions and for obtaining establishment authorizations.
Following public consultations on the draft amendments to the Grid Connection Regulation, and after ongoing discussions between Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and ANRE President George Niculescu, ANRE announced that it will publish the revised version of the regulation for public consultation on Monday, April 27, 2026.
The new framework introduces a stricter approach for investors interested in electricity generation projects, with multiple layers of financial guarantees designed to ensure projects are actually completed.
“We want real megawatts connected to the grid, not megawatts on paper. We also want to stop quick-profit schemes involving energy projects sold on online marketplaces. The energy transition cannot be built on projects sold on OLX,” said ANRE President George Niculescu.
Main proposed changes to the grid connection regulation
- €20 per installed kilowatt guarantee required for applicants wishing to participate in auctions for the allocation of available grid connection capacity for new power generation and energy storage projects starting this autumn.
This guarantee will be released or enforced after the auction concludes. - 20% guarantee of the connection fee value required after the applicant submits the connection request and the grid operator approves the technical solution study.
ANRE will also amend the regulation governing licenses and authorizations by introducing:
- €30 per installed kilowatt guarantee required when applying for an Establishment Authorization, as a condition for receiving it.
- For authorizations already issued, if the project is not completed within the validity period and the developer requests an extension, the same €30/kW guarantee must be provided.
- This guarantee will be released once the investment is completed.
The measures are intended to achieve two simultaneous goals:
- Reduce the current backlog of grid connection permits (ATRs) by requiring guarantees from developers who need authorization extensions because projects were not completed on time.
- Strongly discourage speculative projects by introducing tougher financial filters for both grid connection and authorization procedures.