Romania's electricity consumption drops while exports surge in early 2026

Official data from Romania's National Institute of Statistics show that in the first four months of 2026 total electricity consumption fell 2.7% year‑on‑year to 16.533 billion kWh. Household use declined sharply by more than 10%, while consumption by the economy slipped 0.4% and public lighting rose 0.8%.

Overall electricity generation decreased 1.5% to 23.834 billion kWh, driven by a 3.6% fall in thermal output. Hydro production jumped 31.5%, wind output rose 112.5% and solar generation increased 126.4%, offsetting modest declines at nuclear plants. Total primary energy resources fell 3.3% to 10.482 million tonnes oil equivalent.

Energy exports grew markedly, reaching 5.148 billion kWh – an increase of about 700 million kWh – while net imports declined. The rise in self‑consumption by the power grid indicates heightened pressure on the transmission system.