Electricity suppliers seem unconcerned about offering customers competitive price deals after 1 July, when the price cap scheme will be abolished. What’s more, they seem to have set price offers that are very close in value, said George Niculescu, president of the National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE).
“What happens after 1 July? We have already put in place an obligation for suppliers to inform all consumers about contract prices and offers valid after that date. But from analysing the price comparator, I see that several suppliers have aligned themselves at roughly the same tariff level”, Niculescu told at the 11th Energy Strategy Summit, the flagship event of Energynomics. With the exception of one large supplier, which has a lower offer, the other suppliers, according to market share, are aligned around 1.46 – 1.48 lei/kWh, i.e. around 1.5 lei/kWh. Analysing the components of the price shows that the electricity part represents about 80 bani/kWh, i.e. 800 lei/MWh. I wonder where they managed to buy energy at such a high price that they can offer it to consumers at such rates on the threshold of July?”
The president of ANRE added that while state institutions, such as the Government, the Energy Ministry and the Parliament, have constantly sought solutions to support electricity consumers, the same cannot be said for suppliers. The authorities also need to find solutions to reduce the cost components in bills, such as VAT. However, even if this tax is lowered, consumers would not automatically benefit from lower bills if suppliers continue to impose high tariffs.
“I still don’t see a real concern on the part of suppliers to come up with competitive offers in the true sense of the word for household and non-household consumers. This is why I am analysing very carefully the developments in the energy market and the offers submitted by suppliers during this period. I say to you with the utmost responsibility: if we identify, as a result of our monitoring activities, elements that are not necessarily dodgy, but which give us cause for suspicion, we will intervene, as we have done in the past, without hesitation”, he said.
George Niculescu also said that the authorities have created tools that allow energy trading in a simpler way and contribute to increased market liquidity. One such mechanism is the market maker, which market operators need to start using. Another is the introduction of advances or guarantees for long-term contracts. In his view, this is a market empowerment measure aimed at increasing confidence in the Romanian energy sector.
2025 Energy Strategy Summit was organised by Energynomics, with the support of our partners: AJ Brand, Elektra Renewable Support, ABB, Adrem Asset Management, Alive Capital, BCR, DEKRA, Distribuție Energie Electrică Romania, E-Infra, Eaton Electric, Electrica Furnizare, EnergoBit, Enery, Enevo Group, Enexus, European Investment Bank, Evryo, Exim Banca Romaneasca, Delgaz Grid, Genesis Biopartner, Huawei, ING Bank, Jantzen Renewables, Keno Energy, Leader Team, LONGi, Nano Energies, Prime Batteries Technology, Procesio, Procredit Bank, Relians, Renomia, Romgaz, Schneider Electric, script.ai, Sermatec, smartPulse, Solar Today, SolaX, Think Blu Solution, Voltika, Wiren, YEO, AIployees, Aqua Carpatica, Alexandrion, Carbon Tool, Imsol.