Romania expects number of prosumers to reach 100,000 by year-end

The number of households, firms and institutions in Romania with renewable electricity systems for own consumption tripled in 2022 to more than 40,000. The country’s energy regulator expects the gauge to reach six figures this year.

With continuous government support through subsidies and the simplification of the procedure, the surge in the number of prosumers has exceeded expectations by far. As of January 1, the Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) said, there were 40,171 households, companies and institutions with rooftop photovoltaic systems and other facilities for the production of energy from renewable sources for own consumption.

The year-on-year increase was almost 200%, compared to just under 400% in combined capacity, which reached 423 MW. The expansion proved that prosumers are one of the most dynamic segments in Romania’s energy transition.

Moreover, ANRE said the number of prosumers may hit 100,000 by the end of 2023. Electricity suppliers are obligated to buy prosumers’ surplus electricity.

The regulatory body has published a guide detailing the connection process and the rights and obligations of all parties involved including the distribution operator. ANRE President Dumitru Chiriţă urged state institutions that run support programs to consider subsidizing the installation of storage capacities with the aim of increasing flexibility in the operation of the distribution network and the balancing of the national electric power system as a whole.