ANRE launches inspections of distributors over delays in connecting new energy capacity

ANRE will launch a major inspection campaign at distribution operators to investigate delays in issuing connection certificates and granting commercial authorization for new energy production and storage capacity. The institution’s president, George Niculescu, says some projects remain in the testing phase for up to 18 months, including plants with capacities of just 2–3 MW.

“We have observed unusually long testing periods for electricity generation capacity,” Niculescu said. He maintains that investors need to know how long the documents allowing them to operate their plants commercially are delayed, and why.

The inspections build on ANRE’s already intensive activity. In the first eight months of 2026, the institution carried out 671 actions and imposed 1,026 administrative sanctions, with a total value of nearly 11 million lei.

The issue of operation under testing conditions was also raised by the National Trade Union Bloc, which asked Parliament to summon ANRE to provide explanations regarding the delays. The organization warned that completed investments cannot contribute to supplying the market amid high prices and risks to security of supply.

The phenomenon was reported as early as 2025. At the time, market sources said photovoltaic plants with capacities of hundreds of megawatts were either undergoing testing or had been shut down after completing the tests because they had not yet received a generation license. ANRE, however, disputed the estimate regarding the blocked capacity.