Hidroelectrica, PPC and Electrica, sanctioned by ANPC for misinformation of energy consumers. “The lack of the final price, with all the taxes included, without mentioning the value of VAT”
Six companies have been sanctioned, including the largest energy providers for domestic customers: Hidroelectrica, PPC Energy and Electrica Supply, according to the data sent by ANPC at the request of HotNews.
The National Authority for Consumer Protection has controlled energy providers between April and June 2025, to see how they were fighting for customers, in the context of liberalization on July 1.
At the beginning of August, ANPC announced, in a press release, that 116 economic operators (including 431 contracts issued by them) were controlled, with deviations to 20 of the companies.
For identified irregularities, ANPC commissioners have applied the following sanctions:
- 24 contraventional fines worth over 370,000 lei
- 10 warnings
- The measure of remedying the deficiencies found, for 12 economic operators.
ANPC has sanctioned some of the largest energy suppliers in the market
According to a response sent by the institution at the request of HotNews, irregularities were found at three of the largest suppliers in Romania:
- Electrica supply
- Hidroelectrica
- PPC Energy Muntenia
Electrica supply has a portfolio of 3.2 million customers, PPC Energy – 3 million, and Hidroelectrica – about 800,000.
Deviations were found and to three other smaller suppliers:
- Digi Romania
- Grenerg
- Renovatio Trading
The editorial office asked the ANPC representatives to explain why in the press release they were indicated for 20 companies, but only six were mentioned nominally.
“In the response transmitted to you, the name of the sanctioned economic operators indicated, the number to which you refer to the working points sanctioned in the administrative-territorial units, belonging to these operators,” explained the ANPC officials.
It turns out that the statement nominated the branches, even if more belonged to the same company.
What did they do to customers
ANPC discovered the following irregularities to these suppliers:
- unclear and imprecise drafting of contractual clauses;
- unspecification in the offer of the following information: the billing period, the price of electricity, the conditions of renewal/extension and of termination of the provision of services and the contract;
- The offers displayed for consultation, at the approval of the work points of the economic operators, regarding the electricity, do not correspond to those presented on their official sites;
- The lack of the final price, with all the taxes included, without mentioning the value of VAT;
- issuing consumption and reporting invoices late;
- abusive clauses regarding the access of unauthorized persons to the devices located on the public domain and not on the personal property of the consumer, a situation impossible to be respected;
- The lack of mention in contracts of an alternative variant for solving disputes (SAL/soil).
ANPC also stated that it cannot detail what fine each company has received, arguing that the minutes are not public.
What do the sanctioned companies say
Hotnews has asked for the point of view of sanctioned companies. Until the publication of this article, Hidroelectrica, Electrica and PPC Energy replied.
Hidroelectrica specifies that it was sanctioned with 10,000 lei for punctual situations.
“In the context of the very large volume of registered customers in recent years and the process of digitalization, situations may occur punctually that require corrections or adjustments. Following the checks, Hidroelectrica has been sanctioned with the amount of 10,000 lei for punctual situations made with delays from us. correct and quality services, in accordance with the legislation in force ”.
The Electrica supply claims that he “permanently makes efforts to remedy any situation identified by the supplier as soon as possible.
At the same time, the Electrica supply deals with maximum seriousness any notification or finding from the authorities. On this occasion, we reaffirm our commitment to collaborate transparently with the authorized institutions and to continuously improve the internal processes, so as to guarantee the provision of efficient services and to high standards to all our customers. ”
For their part, PPC Energy representatives said that they are on the list of companies sanctioned by ANPC as a result of a warning received by the branch in Vaslui.
- “During the mentioned period, following the 21 controls carried out by teams of the County Commissioners for Consumer Protection in PPC Energy points in the country, the supplier received a warning from CJPC Vaslui.
- Following it, PPC Energy remedied the reported aspects. As every time, we collaborate with maximum openness and transparency with the authorities, for the benefit of the clients and in accordance with the legislation in force ”.
