November 1st, Romanians will pay more for electricity and thermal energy due to the increase in the cogeneration tax.

November 1st, Romanians will feel an increase in electricity and thermal energy prices, according to the analysis of the Intelligent Energy Association. This increase is caused by the rise in the contribution for high-efficiency cogeneration, a tax introduced in 2011. Dumitru Chisăliță, the president of the association, emphasized that although the price increase is not economically significant, it raises equity issues, considering that consumers from disadvantaged areas contribute to subsidizing thermal energy for residents of cities with high salaries.

The cogeneration tax, applied to each kilowatt-hour consumed, aims to finance producers who simultaneously generate electricity and thermal energy. Although it was initially designed for the development of modern power plants, the collected money has mainly been used to subsidize heating systems in a few large cities. From November 1, 2025, the tax will increase by 62%, reaching 0.0136 lei/kWh.

Additionally, from the same date, a reduced VAT of 11% will come into effect for thermal energy supplied to the population, valid until March 2026. Prices for thermal energy in Bucharest will vary, and cost estimates for the winter of 2025/2026 suggest significant increases depending on the type of housing.