The National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) has approved and published the regulations necessary for the implementation of Law no. 160/2026-an initiative by UDMR Senator Antal Lóránt-which expands the rights of prosumers in Romania. The new regulations establish specific rules regarding the billing, settlement, and compensation of energy, providing the necessary framework for the effective application of the law’s provisions.
One of the most significant changes is the introduction of monthly settlement for surplus electricity delivered to the grid, replacing the previous 24-month carry-over system. The value of the injected energy will appear monthly on the prosumer’s invoice, subject to the same payment deadlines as those applicable to consumption-based invoices. In the event of a late payment, the supplier shall be liable to the prosumer for the same contractual penalties that the prosumer would otherwise owe the supplier for late payments.
Prosumers may choose to have these funds deposited into their bank accounts or use them to offset invoices for other consumption sites held within the same supplier’s portfolio. Individuals with installations of up to 27 kW may also use these funds to pay natural gas bills, provided they use the same supplier for both electricity and natural gas. For other categories of prosumers-including businesses and institutions-offsetting across multiple consumption sites is permitted, subject to the conditions that the same supplier and the same distribution system operator are involved. For installations between 200 and 400 kW, the energy supplied to the grid will be remunerated at the weighted average price of the Day-Ahead Market (DAM), subject to financial settlement.
An important provision of the new regulations also concerns the funds accumulated under the previous 24-month compensation system. These amounts are not lost: on the first invoice issued after the ANRE (Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority) order enters into force, the supplier will use the existing balance to offset amounts owed by the prosumer. If the prosumer has opted for compensation across multiple consumption sites, the balance will also be applied toward settling invoices for those other locations. Any remaining funds, following these offsets, will be paid to the prosumer within a maximum of 40 business days from the date the order enters into force. To receive these funds, prosumers must ensure that their supplier has their correct bank account details.
“I initiated this legislation because I believed that prosumers deserve fair rules and a settlement mechanism that does not tie up the value of the energy they supply to the grid for two years. Today, with the approval of the ANRE regulations, we are taking the final step toward ensuring that the rights established by law can be effectively exercised. This is the result of a nearly three-year-long effort and sustained dialogue with prosumers and representatives of the energy sector,” stated Senator Antal Lóránt.
He also highlighted the importance of verifying the settlement price, which is calculated based on the price of active energy as specified in the contract-a figure that excludes the supply component. Prosumers should compare the offers available on the market, as a disproportionately high supply-related cost component can significantly reduce the amount received for the energy fed into the grid. Furthermore, they may request a detailed breakdown of the calculations from their supplier-which must be provided within five business days-and may report any irregularities to ANRE (the Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority).
The legislative initiative was submitted to Parliament in 2023 and underwent a legislative process lasting nearly three years, which included consultations with representatives of prosumers, public authorities, and the energy sector, as well as a re-examination procedure. Following its adoption by Parliament and the confirmation of its constitutionality, the law was published in the Official Gazette in July 2026. The approval of ANRE’s regulations marks the completion of the steps necessary for the effective implementation of these new rights.
“We promised to see this project through to the end, and we kept our word. Beyond the legislative amendments and administrative procedures, the most significant outcome is that the nearly 400,000 prosumers who generate energy will finally have concrete rights and the ability to receive fair value for the energy they supply to the grid. It is a victory for them, first and foremost, and an important step toward Romania’s energy independence and security,” concluded Senator Antal Lóránt.
