Current invoices increased by up to 63% after liberalization. How the Romanians avoid the big expenses. Expert explanations
Energy bills exploded after eliminating capped prices, registering up to 63% in some cases. For households, this is no longer just a problem of comfort, but one of financial survival. The monthly budgets are put under pressure, and many Romanians are obliged to rethink how they consume energy, say experts consulted by “Adevărul”.
Energy bills exploded after eliminating capped prices
“The energy has increased with up to 63% after the elimination of the capping of prices, from July 1. But it's not just about numbers. Over half of companies have higher bills by at least 20%. I am Small workshops, however, open for many years, who are now forced to suspend their activity. I am steel combinedgreenhouses, farms, salons – all feel the same pressure. The business environment is clearlyin danger.
It's no longer about comfort. It's about how you keep control over your life. When energy is an uncertainty, living becomes a fear“, He told”truth“Albert Soare, founder of kilowat.
In recent years, the cost of energy has become one of the most debated topics in the public space. From domestic consumers to large factories, everyone feels the impact of legislative changes and increasing prices. In this landscape, the elimination of capped prices was initially regarded as a chance to bring more competition and better offers – but the real effects were completely different.
“The renunciation of the prices capped to energy has brought theoretically more competition and options, but the reality in Romania shows that for many consumers the immediate effect was the increase of prices and the decrease of predictability.
For households, this means pressure on the monthly budget, and for SMEs-difficulties of planning and even operation. More and more companies and families that call us tell us that it is no longer just comfort but of economic and safety survival“, Said for”truth“Dorin Chisăliță, Sales Director Livoltek, part of Hexing Group.
What risks the increase in energy for Romanians and companies brings
Energy increase is no longer only bigger invoices, but a direct threat to the financial balance of households and business stability. Increasing costs obliges Romanians to reduce their consumption and to postpone important plans, such as renovation of the home or the purchase of more efficient equipment.
The budgets of the families are increasingly tense: less money for food, education and health remains, and some vulnerable households may not be able to heat their homes or pay their current bills. Increases uncertainty, stress and anxiety, and comfort disappears – people give up devices, air conditioning and even the correct heating of housing.
“Big bills are just the beginning – the next step is instability. Today you pay more, tomorrow you do not know if you will buy.
When energy bills grow, we are not just talking about extra money you get out of your pocket. We are talking about a chain effect on everyday life. Romanians have less money for food, education and health. Vulnerable families end up no longer able to heat their homes or pay the current. We are not talking about products now, but about choices that can make the difference between dependence and freedom. And the direction, for those who look a little further, is increasingly obvious: without controllable energy, the decent lifestyle in Romania remains only a memory”, Warns Albert Soare.
In his opinion, they increase insecurity, stress, anxiety, and comfort disappears – Romanians give up devices, air conditioning, correct heating. Moreover, the important plans postpone: buying a home, renovation or investments in more efficient equipment. “This is the real risk: we lose not only money, but also the quality of life”he adds.
The risks are even higher for companies
Energy increase becomes a direct threat to business, especially for energy-intensive SMEs. Operational costs increase, profit margins are reduced, and more and more workshops, farms, restaurants and salons suspend their activity. Following follows, the increase in unemployment and the loss of jobs in communities.
The Romanian products become more expensive and lose the competition with the imports, and the investments in extension or digitalization are postponed. Some companies move their production to countries with more stable and cheaper energy, which amplifies the negative effects in the supply chain, warns the energy specialists.
The increase changes the elections of the Romanians: how it avoids large expenses
Energy increase causes Romanians to install photovoltaic panels and green energy storage batteries. They are no longer regarded as a luxury, but as a solution to reducing expenses, protecting the family budget and reducing the risk of unpredictable invoices. “When the energy becomes more expensive, the investment recovery period decreases. If we were talking for 6-8 years for depreciation, we now see customers who recover their investment in 4-5 years, especially if they also include a storage solution,” explains Livoltek.
The interest in energy autonomy has increased significantly. If in 2020 the Romanians mainly asked about the price of the panels, now almost every discussion includes questions about hybrid inverters and storage batteries.
Romanians have begun to understand that true independence does not only come from energy production, but also from the ability to store and consume it when needed, including in the case of current feathers, explains green energy specialists. Basically, for a real control over the invoice, a storage battery is needed.
“A storage capacity of 5–10 kWh can cover the evening and night consumption, reducing the energy bought from the network just when the rates are higher. In addition, it offers the quiet that you have current even in the event of an interruption. With a hybrid system, Household can reach 70–80% energy independenceand in some cases even more”, Explains Dorin Chisăliță.
