ANRE Has Published the New Draft Connection Regulations

Following the public debate on the draft order amending the Connection Regulation and following discussions between Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and ANRE President George Niculescu, the National Energy Regulatory Authority published on April 27, 2026 the new version of the draft amendment to the grid connection regulations. This form contains a different approach for investors interested in power generation, establishing multiple layers of financial guarantees and additional safeguards to ensure that projects are completed.

At the same time, ANRE will also amend the Regulation on granting licenses and authorizations in the electricity sector by requiring applicants to provide a security deposit when applying for an Establishment Authorization or when renewing it, if it has already been issued and the project has not yet been completed.

“ANRE has put two new regulations up for public debate: one that increases security deposits for connection from 5% to 20%, and another that introduces a security deposit per kW of installed capacity for obtaining establishment authorizations. The goal is clear: to eliminate projects without any real financial backing, which end up being traded on platforms like OLX. That’s not how we build solid production capacity, and that’s not how we bring the energy transition to fruition,” the head of the regulatory authority said.

George Niculescu highlighted several key developments in this area over the past three years:

• ANRE has adopted or revised more than 25 regulatory acts in key sectors: electricity, natural gas, renewable energy, energy storage and thermal energy.
• ANRE has introduced financial guarantees for the first time to curb opportunistic behavior. The result: 9,300 MW released from the grid last year.
• Operating licenses have been granted for 3,993 MW.
• Investment in distribution networks increased from approximately RON 3.4 billion in 2023 to RON 3.7 billion in 2024 (+7%). For the period 2025–2029, estimates indicate an investment level that is approximately 40% higher, supported largely by non-reimbursable funds.