Romania's electricity sector employment dominated by state-owned firms

The Romanian electricity sector's largest employers in 2025 are predominantly state-owned, with government-linked companies accounting for approximately 85.7% of the top 10 workforce, totaling 26,841 employees. Complexul Energetic Oltenia (CEO) remains the largest employer in the sector, though it faces significant financial challenges.

CEO is projected to continue operating at a loss due to high coal-based production costs, debt obligations, and the expenses associated with greenhouse gas emission certificates. Dumitru Pîrvulescu, president of the National Mine Energy Federation (FNME), stated that the company will likely face financial difficulties until its coal-based energy production activities conclude, noting that "CEO will go until the end with debts."

While state-linked companies like Hidroelectrica, Nuclearelectrica, and Transelectrica are among the largest employers and remain profitable, other non-listed state entities such as CEO, Complexul Energetic Valea Jiului (CEVJ), and Electrocentrale București (ELCEN) are struggling with losses.