ANRE registers Romania's first energy communities

The Romanian National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) has officially operationalized the National Register of Energy Communities (RNCE) with the registration of the country's first two energy communities. The first Renewable Energy Community (CESR) is Asociația Comunitatea Portului, and the first Citizen Energy Community (CEC) is Societatea Cooperativă Energetică Micasasa Coop.

These communities allow citizens, small businesses, and local authorities to collectively produce, consume, store, and sell renewable energy. This model aims to democratize the energy market and increase local production. Some estimates suggest that energy communities could have an annual impact of 1.3 billion euros in Romania.

In related regulatory developments, ANRE has also approved a flexibility service regulation. This mechanism allows consumers to voluntarily reduce their electricity consumption during specific intervals in exchange for remuneration. Participants can engage directly or through aggregators and suppliers, with Transelectrica organizing auctions to meet flexibility needs.