The National Regulatory Authority for Energy (ANRE) has adopted Order No. 53/2024, approving the Methodology for Grid Capacity Allocation for the connection of electricity generation sites, as well as amending and supplementing certain regulations on the connection of users to the public electricity grid.
One of the key changes introduced by this order is the establishment of financial guarantee requirements for obtaining the technical connection approval.
- Guarantee for Obtaining the Technical Connection Approval
In order to obtain the technical connection approval, as of August 2nd 2024, users must provide a financial guarantee in favor of the grid operator in the following cases:
- For new electricity generation sites (including those with storage facilities) or for combined consumption and generation sites, if the approved total evacuation power exceeds 1 MW.
- For new consumption sites or when applying for a power increase, if the total approved consumption power exceeds 1 MW and the connection requires reinforcement works upstream of the connection point to create the necessary technical conditions.
The guarantee value is set at 5% of the connection fee, which must be paid on the date of issuance of the technical connection permit.
- Guarantee for Participation in Grid Capacity Allocation Auctions
Starting from January 1, 2026, the Methodology for Grid Capacity Allocation for electricity generation sites, approved through Order No. 53/2024, will come into effect.
This methodology regulates the auction-based allocation of grid capacity for:
- New electricity generation sites with an installed capacity of at least 5 MW.
- Power increases at existing sites, by installing additional generation units or storage systems, if they exceed 5 MW.
- Connecting generation or storage installations to existing consumption sites, if their installed capacity is at least 5 MW.
Users who receive confirmation of their capacity allocation request from the grid operator will be required to provide a participation guarantee for the auction.
The guarantee amount is calculated by multiplying the requested capacity (MW) by 1% of the auction’s starting price, set for the respective auction session.
The transmission system operator (TSO) will refund the participation guarantee within 2 business days to users who did not win the auction. For the winning user, the guarantee will be refunded within 2 business days after the TSO receives the signed allocation contract.
These regulations aim to ensure a transparent and efficient process for grid capacity allocation, as well as financial guarantees to support the development of energy infrastructure.