Complete liberalization of the energy market a challenge for the household consumer

In order to comply with the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2019/943 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the internal market in electricity, the Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) has ruled that starting with January 1, 2021 the market of electricity is completely liberalized, the supply of electricity will be made in a competitive manner. The regulation stipulates that the prices are formed according to supply and demand and Romania thus complies with this provision. Domestic consumers, but even commercial and public ones, found themselves in a position to analyze the offers received from competitive suppliers given that the overwhelming majority knows nothing about the liberalization process, the components of the contract price, what are the conditions of supply on who can negotiate them etc. This article aims to make an up-to-date x-ray of the Romanian energy retail market and to be a useful tool for the home consumer in choosing the competitive offer that best suits him. Due to the reaction of the media and associations representing the interests of household customers, especially the Intelligent Energy Association, the ANRE Order 5/20.01.2021 extended the transition period until 30.06.2021 and some measures were taken to simplify the transition from universal service to the competitive market.