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Distributor and energy supplier

Two different roles on your bill: who brings the power (the distributor, a monopoly per zone) and who sets the price (the supplier, which you can switch for free).

The distributor physically brings electricity to your meter and handles faults — you cannot choose it. The price of energy and your bill are the responsibility of the supplier.

What is an electricity distributor?

Law 123/2012 · Art. 3 pts. 22 and 39 · EU Directive 2019/944 · Natural monopoly regulated by ANRE

The distributor is the operator that owns and operates the electricity grid — poles, cables, transformers and meters — through which energy physically reaches your meter from producers. It is a regulated natural monopoly: there is a single distributor per geographic area, designated through a state concession. The consumer cannot choose the distributor.

The unbundling principle (EU Directive 2009/72/EC and 2019/944) requires complete legal separation between distribution and supply activities — the same company cannot carry out both activities in the same area.

Natural monopoly — not chosen Licensed and regulated by ANRE Does not bill the consumer ~25–35% of the final bill (distribution tariff)
Grid connection
Manages the connection approval, permits and energization for new consumers or changes to the installed power.
Maintenance and faults
Handles power outages and grid repairs 24/7. When the power goes out, you call the distributor — not the supplier.
Metering
Installs, checks and replaces meters (including smart meters). Sends consumption data to the supplier.
Non-discriminatory access
Ensures equal access to the grid for all suppliers (a principle required by EU Directive 2019/944 — unbundling).
Tariffs set by ANRE
Distribution tariffs are set periodically by ANRE — they are non-negotiable and appear on every bill.

The 4 electricity distributors in Romania

Assigned by region · All 0800 numbers are free and active 24/7 for emergencies

DELGAZ GRID S.A. E.ON Group North-East · Moldova
Bacău · Botoșani · Iași · Neamț · Suceava · Vaslui
Emergencies 24/7: 0800 800 929
office@delgaz-grid.ro
delgaz.ro
Head office: Târgu Mureș
DISTRIBUȚIE ENERGIE ELECTRICĂ ROMÂNIA S.A. Electrica SA

The largest operator in Romania — 3 zones with different emergency numbers

Transylvania North
Cluj · Bistrița-Năsăud · Sălaj · Bihor · Satu Mare · Maramureș
0800 400 929
Transylvania South / Centre
Alba · Sibiu · Mureș · Harghita · Brașov · Covasna
0800 500 929
Muntenia North
Prahova · Dâmbovița · Buzău · Brăila · Galați · Vrancea
0800 500 205
office@deer.ro
distributie-energie.ro
Head office: Cluj-Napoca
DISTRIBUȚIE ENERGIE OLTENIA S.A. PPC Group South-West · Oltenia
Argeș · Dolj · Gorj · Mehedinți · Olt · Teleorman · Vâlcea
Emergencies 24/7: 0800 500 000
relatiiclienti@distributieoltenia.ro
distributieoltenia.ro
Head office: Craiova
REȚELE ELECTRICE ROMÂNIA S.A. PPC Group Rebranded in 2024 from E-Distribuție / Enel

3 distinct zones with different emergency numbers

Banat / West
Arad · Caraș-Severin · Hunedoara · Timiș
0800 070 444
Dobrogea / SE
Constanța · Tulcea · Călărași · Ialomița
0800 070 555
Muntenia South / Bucharest
Bucharest · Ilfov · Giurgiu
0800 070 888
office.info@reteleelectrice.ro
reteleelectrice.ro
Head office: Bucharest
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Distributor vs energy supplier — the difference