The Romanian Association of Electricity and Gas Suppliers (AFEER) has launched ENERGINFO, a cluster dedicated to informing and educating energy consumers. The initiative aims to facilitate access to clear, accurate and easy-to-understand information about the energy market, consumer rights and obligations, billing, energy efficiency and new developments in the energy sector.
ENERGINFO was established by AFEER together with some of its members, with other participants subsequently joining the initiative to support energy consumer information and education. Through this initiative, participants aim to promote a culture of responsible energy consumption and strengthen dialogue between suppliers, public authorities, consumer organisations, civil society and academia.
Consumer Information: A Priority in a Changing Energy Market
Legislative and tax changes, shifting energy market conditions, the challenges of the energy transition and geopolitical developments all influence costs and consumption patterns, raising questions and sometimes creating confusion among consumers. In this context, access to relevant information presented in simple, accessible language is essential to making informed decisions.
“In a constantly changing energy market, consumers need clear information about billing, their rights and obligations, and energy efficiency. Through ENERGINFO, we want to contribute to a better understanding of the market and strengthen consumer confidence,” said Laurențiu Urluescu, President of AFEER.
Energy education is important not only for understanding electricity and gas bills, but also for making effective use of new technologies, such as photovoltaic panels, energy storage systems and smart meters. For investments in the digitalisation and modernisation of the energy system to deliver their full potential, consumers need to understand how to monitor and manage their energy consumption.
“An informed consumer can become an active partner in managing the energy system. It is important for people to understand how to use energy efficiently and what benefits new technologies offer, from smart meters to energy storage solutions,” added Laurențiu Urluescu, President of AFEER.
ENERGINFO aims to act as a partner to consumers, helping them understand energy-related concepts and terminology through practical explanations in accessible language. Another key objective is to help vulnerable consumers access information about their rights and the support measures available to them.
ENERGINFO Reaches Out to Young People Through Pilot Project in Six Bucharest High Schools
One of the cluster’s first concrete consumer education initiatives was carried out in six high schools in Bucharest, at the initiative of Csilla Lorincz, a member of the ENERGINFO Cluster Coordination Committee.
“I launched this project out of the conviction that an energy-aware culture must be built from an early age. Today’s young people will soon be making their own decisions as consumers, and in an increasingly complex sector, it is important for them to understand how energy works and the impact of their choices. Our experience with this pilot project shows that there is genuine interest, and I believe this is a model worth continuing and expanding,” she said.
As part of the pilot project, four fourth-year students from the Faculty of Power Engineering at the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest delivered interactive presentations to high school students. The sessions covered key aspects of electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply, as well as the importance of responsible consumption and energy efficiency.
Adriana Micșunescu, ENERGINFO’s programme coordinator and pilot project manager, highlighted the role of educational projects in making the energy sector more accessible to the general public.
“ENERGINFO aims to turn energy-sector concepts into information that is easy to understand and apply in everyday life. Through the pilot project in high schools, we gave students the opportunity to discover, through practical examples and interactive presentations, how electricity reaches consumers, what energy efficiency means and how they can make responsible choices. We hope to continue such initiatives and reach as many young people as possible,” she said.
Partnership Between Industry and Academia
To support the development of energy education initiatives and encourage the involvement of future specialists, ENERGINFO has signed a cooperation agreement with the Faculty of Power Engineering at the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest concerning student internships.
The partnership lays the groundwork for closer ties between academia and the energy sector, giving students the opportunity to apply their specialist knowledge in activities that have a direct impact on the community.
ENERGINFO aims to contribute to the efforts of public authorities to ensure the proper and competitive functioning of the energy market and protect consumer rights. Achieving these objectives requires cooperation between suppliers, public institutions, non-governmental organisations, consumer associations and academia.
Through its projects, the cluster seeks to develop information and education initiatives tailored to different consumer groups, helping them better understand the energy market, become familiar with their rights and obligations, and use energy responsibly and efficiently.