The National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) proposes a series of amendments to Order 53/2024 on the methodology for allocating electricity network capacity for connecting electricity generation sites. Through the new draft order, which is currently under public consultation, the institution introduces transitional measures and clarifications to prevent bottlenecks in the connection process for projects over 5 MW, until the new methodology is fully implemented, which is scheduled for January 1, 2026.

The initiative comes in response to requests made by Transelectrica, energy producers associations, and investors involved in the development of renewable energy capacities, who have drawn attention to the risk of delays caused by the overlap between old and new regulations.

For projects already underway, ANRE stipulates that connection requests submitted before January 1, 2026, for installations with an installed capacity of at least 5 MW, remain valid, but those without solution studies completed by December 31, 2025, will be subject to the new methodology. In these cases, network operators will reimburse the costs of the solution studies if they become inapplicable. At the same time, projects that do not obtain technical connection approval (ATR) by March 31, 2026, will be subject to the rules of allocation by auction, according to the new methodology.

For 2026, ANRE proposes an adapted calendar of administrative stages, giving Transelectrica the time necessary to procure the services for developing the comprehensive solution study. The new deadlines are:

• March 31 – publication of available network capacities
• April 30 – submission of capacity allocation requests;
• May 11 – distribution operators submit applications to the TSO;
• May 15 – finalization of the list of applications;
• August 14 – publication of the results of the global solution study;
• August 20 – publication of the list of participants and launch of the auction.

ANRE specifies that these adjustments do not alter the principles established by the Methodology, but allow the process to be carried out in conditions of legality, transparency, and predictability. In addition, the order introduces an important clarification regarding the scope of application: the methodology applies exclusively to production and storage sites with installed capacities of at least 5 MW, excluding applications for own consumption.

The draft also adds an automatic extension of deadlines that fall on non-working days or public holidays, which will be considered valid until the first working day.

According to ANRE, the proposed changes have a positive impact on developers by clarifying the connection stages, setting realistic deadlines, and avoiding bottlenecks that could have affected the pace of investment in new electricity generation capacity..

The ANRE draft order is open for public consultation until November 11.