Questions related to electricity distribution

What does the merger of Rețele Electrice Banat, Rețele Electrice Dobrogea, and Rețele Electrice Muntenia involve?
The electricity distribution companies Rețele Electrice Muntenia, Rețele Electrice Dobrogea, and Rețele Electrice Banat, part of the PPC group in Romania, will merge under the name Rețele Electrice România on November 30, 2024. The merger of these companies into a single legal entity aims to optimize operations in the three regions where we operate by improving resource allocation and reducing administrative complexity.
Will this merger affect the distribution services I receive from Rețele Electrice?
Customers will continue to receive services from us and will be able to contact us through the same familiar channels. The new company will continue to provide electricity distribution services in Bucharest and the counties of Ilfov, Giurgiu, Constanța, Tulcea, Ialomița, Călărași, Caraș-Severin, Timiș, Hunedoara, and Arad. Electricity distribution is a public service, which is why our company is committed to continuously improving it.
Will there be power outages due to the merger?
The company’s operations will continue as usual, and there is no risk of service interruptions.
For network maintenance work that requires planned outages, these will be announced as usual here: https://www.reteleelectrice.ro/en/outages.
Details about accidental outages can be obtained at the same TelVerde phone numbers:
- Arad, Caraș-Severin, Hunedoara, Timiș: 0800.070.444
- Călărași, Constanța, Ialomița, Tulcea: 0800.070.555
- Bucharest, Ilfov, Giurgiu: 0800.070.888
These tool-free numbers are available 24/7 within Romania. Additional information on electricity supply is also available online at reteleelectrice.ro/en.
Who will read my meter from now on?
The same teams from the distribution operator and authorized partners will handle meter readings. Smart meters will continue to transmit readings automatically, with no changes required from customers.
Will the meter reading period change?
No. All company activities will continue as before. Customers can still submit their readings according to the methods specified on their invoices.
If I experience a power outage, who should I call? Are the call center numbers or their schedule changing?
Customer contact centers will remain unchanged, as will the contact phone numbers. Customers can report outages at the same numbers:
- Arad, Caraș-Severin, Hunedoara, Timiș: 0800.070.444
- Călărași, Constanța, Ialomița, Tulcea: 0800.070.555
- Bucharest, Ilfov, Giurgiu: 0800.070.888
These tool-free numbers are available 24/7 within Romania. Additional information on electricity supply is also available online at reteleelectrice.ro/en.
Will my local customer service center be closed? How can I contact the distributor for questions or requests?
Our customer service center and information points list remains unchanged and can be found on the reteleelectrice.ro/en website under the Contact section.
If I have an ongoing project with one of the Rețele Electrice companies, who will issue my final invoice?
The newly merged company, Rețele Electrice România, will take over customer relations and issue the necessary documents. Customers will receive them without needing to submit additional paperwork.
Which bank account should I use to pay for work done by one of the Rețele Electrice companies?
Payments should be made to the bank accounts mentioned on the invoice.
Will the POD codes change? They are currently different depending on the region.
No, these data will not change.
Will my Rețele Electrice customer account login for the private section of the website change?
Customer login details will remain the same.
If I have a different electricity provider, do I need to notify them about the distributor’s name change?
No. The distribution operator has notified all partners about the merger, and the relationship between the distributor and electricity providers will continue seamlessly, without affecting customers.
I receive electricity supply services from a different company. Should I expect delays in meter readings from Rețele Electrice after this merger?
No. The distribution operator’s activities and those of its partners will continue without disruption or impact on customers.
Will my electricity bill be affected by this merger?
The electricity supplier issues the invoices. The distribution rate is one of the listed charges and is regulated by ANRE.
Will my distribution rate change? By how much? How is it calculated?
The distribution rate is set by ANRE and is adjusted periodically. Its value appears on the electricity supplier’s invoice under regulated fees and rate.
Will the smart meter installation schedule change after the merger?
No, the smart meter installation program is approved by the National Energy Regulatory Authority and will continue according to the approved schedule.
I am a prosumer and inject energy into the network of one of the Rețele Electrice companies. What will change for me after the merger? Who will take my energy?
The energy infrastructure will remain unchanged. The electricity injected into the network by prosumers will be taken over by Rețele Electrice România.
Will the distributor’s work in my area be affected? The regional operator was familiar with local issues.
No. The distribution operator’s activities and those of its partners will continue uninterrupted for the benefit of its customers.
What will happen to the intervention teams? Will there be more or fewer of them?
Staff will not be affected by the merger; employees will be integrated into the new company.
What happens to the electricity infrastructure after this merger?
The energy infrastructure will remain unchanged. The goal of the merger is to consolidate operational efficiency and investment flexibility. Additionally, the new company will continue its commitment to major investments to increase the resilience of the electricity distribution network, modernize infrastructure, and advance its digitalization to better handle challenges posed by changes in the energy system and consumption flows, as well as climate change and extreme weather events.
Will partnerships with subcontractors be affected?
No. The distribution operator’s activities and those of its partners will continue without disruption.
How will the change be communicated? Will we receive an official notification/details?
Yes, public announcements will be made, and our suppliers and partners will also receive detailed notifications.
Could the merger cause delays in work execution?
No. The distribution operator’s activities and those of its partners will continue without disruption.
What is the difference between an electricity distributor and a supplier?
Electricity distributors are among the most important actors in the energy system, alongside producers, suppliers, and transporters.
They take energy from Transelectrica, the national electricity transport company, and distribute it to us, the consumers, through high, medium, and low-voltage networks.
To use the electricity brought by distributors close to our homes, we need to sign a contract with a supplier, from whom we receive monthly invoices for our electricity consumption.
Read more about the differences between electricity distributors and suppliers here.
How do I find out who my current electricity supplier is?
The name of your electricity supplier can be found on the bill you receive periodically from them.
What services does Rețele Electrice offer?
We provide various types of services for residential consumers, electricity producers, prosumers, and real estate developers.
Our services include: connection to the power grid for residential consumers, producers, prosumers, and developers; electricity distribution for consumers and producers connected to the network (based on specific characteristics such as power and voltage); and consumption measurement, which includes meter installation and maintenance, as well as monitoring and reporting electrical measurements.
Most of our services can also be accessed online if you create an online account. Once registered, you can access online services by logging into your account from a desktop computer, laptop, or any mobile device with an internet connection.
What is a smart meter?
Find out what a smart meter is and other useful definitions for any electricity consumer on the Terms for everyone to understand page.
How can I submit a request regarding electricity distribution?
You have two options for submitting a request: the Contact page (via the contact form) and your online account.
How long does it take to receive a response to a request submitted to Rețele Electrice?
We will respond to your complaint within a maximum of 30 calendar days, in accordance with current legal regulations.
Where can I report if I see someone or a company stealing electricity?
In such a situation, please use the form available on the Contact page to provide us with information about a suspected case of electricity fraud.
To ensure your report reaches us, access the contact form, select the category “Sesizare”, and under interaction type, choose “Sustrageri”. You can complete the form anonymously or provide your personal information, in which case we will get back to you as soon as possible.
We assure you that we will process your report and take action for a quick resolution.
What does POD mean?
POD stands for “Point of Delivery” and represents an identification code for your electricity consumption location as recorded by the distributor.
Its format varies depending on your electricity distributor. For Rețele Electrice, there are three types of POD codes – one for Muntenia, one for Dobrogea, and one for Banat.
If your electricity distributor is Rețele Electrice, you will find the POD code on your bill from the supplier. You can easily recognize it by the initial combination of letters and numbers – RO001E for the Muntenia region,RO002E for the Dobrogea region, and RO005E for the Banat region
How can I report a power outage?
If your home or business is affected by a power outage, you can contact us at the phone numbers listed on the “Outages” button on the right side of the page.
What are the main reasons of a power outage?
Your home or business may be affected by a power outage due to accidental incidents or planned outages.
Accidental incidents can occur due to weather conditions, high electricity consumption, or the age of the distribution networks.
If your neighbors still have electricity, it’s very likely that there is an issue with the internal electrical installation in your space. In this case, you need to contact a specialized company authorized by the National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE). You can choose one from here.
In certain cases, we may need to temporarily cut off your electricity supply for scheduled maintenance and upgrades to the distribution networks.
For issues related to outages or disruptions in electricity supply, please contact us using the “Outages” button on the right side of the page.
If street lighting is not working on my street, how do I report it?
Local municipalities or district authorities (in the case of Bucharest) are responsible for street lighting in most cases. In very few instances, street lighting falls under our responsibility.
If authorities direct you to contact us, you can do so by calling the numbers listed on the “Outages” button on the right side of the page, using the Contact form, or through your online account.
If you choose to contact us through the contact form, access it, select “Sesizare” as the category, and choose “Alte subiecte” under interaction type. We will process your request and act as quickly as possible to resolve the issue.
How do I request a meter verification?
If your electricity meter is not functioning properly (for example, it does not display messages or the recorded consumption is abnormally high), please contact us directly – see the Contact page – or through your supplier.
How often do you read my electricity meter?
If you are a residential consumer, our teams or authorized partners will read your meter at least once every three months, unless you have a smart meter.
If you have a smart meter installed, the reading will be monthly. If you are a prosumer, producer, or developer, we will read your meter based on the schedule in your electricity supply/distribution contract. Find out more about meter readings here.
What can I do if you were unable to read my meter during the scheduled period?
If our teams or partners were unable to read your meter due to lack of access, you can request a return visit through your supplier.
How can I request an additional meter reading?
If you would like us to read your meter outside the scheduled period, you must contact us through your electricity supplier. This service is chargeable, as it requires an additional on-site visit by our teams or authorized partners.
How can I connect my home or business to the electricity distribution network?
Follow the steps outlined on the connection to the distribution network page based on your consumer category: residential, prosumer, developer, or producer.
On the connection to the power grid page, you will also find details on how to apply for a power supplementation.
How can I pay the invoice for the issuance of the technical grid connection approval, site approval, or the connection rate?
You have several payment methods available, which you can read about below.
You can pay in cash (0% commission) at PayPoint locations, by deposit at an ATM, or by bank transfer to the following accounts –RO05RZBR0000060002435682 and RO54CITI0000000700427005 (Raiffeisen Bank and Citibank, for Banat area), RO85RZBR0000060002253240 and RO85RZBR0000060002253240 (Raiffeisen Bank and Citibank, for Dobrogea area), RO89RZBR0000060006075259 and RO33CITI0000000760023019 (Raiffeisen Bank and Citibank, for Muntenia area).
If my electricity supply is interrupted for more than one day, am I entitled to compensation?
In certain situations, you are entitled to receive compensation from us according to the law. Find out more here.
Do you offer indemnities for home appliances damaged due to voltage fluctuations?
Yes, if your appliances are damaged due to an overvoltage that occurred in our distribution network. Find out more here.
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