Hidroelectrica to raise electricity prices for millions of Romanians. How much bills will increase from Oct. 1

Hidroelectrica is raising its electricity price by more than 14% from October, a change that will affect new customers and consumers whose contracts reach their expiry date.

The energy price will rise from 0.45 lei to 0.515 lei per kWh. After network charges and taxes are added, the final impact on bills will be about 7%. Depending on consumption and applicable tariffs, the billed price could increase from approximately 1.19 lei to about 1.27 lei per kWh.

For a household using 100 kWh a month, the increase would add roughly 8 lei to the electricity bill. A household consuming 300 kWh could pay about 24 lei more. Hidroelectrica has more than 1.2 million customers, so the change will affect a significant number of consumers, although it will initially target new customers and those receiving new offers after their contracts end.

The company is raising prices as lower Danube flows reduce hydropower production. With less electricity available from its own generation, Hidroelectrica must buy more power on other markets, where prices are higher. Those increased purchasing costs are reflected in the new offers sent to consumers.

Households can limit the effect by reducing consumption, using LED bulbs, unplugging electronics when they are not in use and operating appliances more efficiently. Thermal insulation can also reduce the need for electric heating during the colder months. Authorities have said support mechanisms for vulnerable consumers will continue, but the long-term ceiling and eligibility conditions remain uncertain.