ANRE implements new Regulation concerning licensing and permitting in the electricity sector
As of March 26, 2025, Romania’s National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) has implemented a new Regulation (Order No. 6/2025) governing licensing and permitting in the electricity sector, replacing the decade-old Order No. 12/2015. The updated framework modernizes the regulatory landscape for electricity production, distribution, and supply.
Key changes include the introduction of new license categories such as those for energy aggregation and commercial operation of storage facilities. The scope of individual licenses has been expanded—for instance, a cogeneration license now covers both electricity and combined heat and power production, while supply licenses also encompass trading.
The Regulation outlines activities exempt from licensing, such as small-scale self-consumption, low-capacity production/storage (≤1 MW), and distribution in closed systems or industrial parks. Operators from other EU Member States are also exempt from Romanian licensing requirements if they comply with national technical standards.
Innovative features include staged permitting for large projects and parallel permitting for integrated biogas/biomethane facilities. New restrictions prohibit holding overlapping licenses (e.g., both supply and trading), and previous incompatibilities (e.g., between transmission and other activities) remain.
A provisional license valid for up to six months ensures operational continuity during ownership changes. Specific permitting rules now apply to offshore wind projects, addressing their unique technical and environmental aspects.
Finally, the Regulation introduces clearer and more predictable procedures for license suspension and revocation, enhancing regulatory transparency and compliance. Overall, the new framework reflects ANRE’s aim to align licensing processes with technological advances and EU standards.
Further information can be found under bpv Grigorescu Ștefănică.
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