What is the difference between electricity distribution and supply?

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On the route from the producer to the consumer there are several specialized segments – power production (various types of power stations), power transportation by high voltage lines (Transelectrica, the national transport operator), power distribution through high (the voltage is lower than the carrier’s), medium and low voltage lines (Rețele Electrice companies and the other power operators in the country, each managing the power grid in certain counties) and the power supply (for which there is the regulated and the free market, with different supply offers). There also is the trading, activity, through which power is purchased and sold on various specialized markets. There also are other power-based economic activities.

The power distribution activity is carried out through the licensed grid in certain areas of the country, which is why there is a natural monopoly. That is why the distributor is also referred to as a grid operator. We operate the power grid in three areas of the country – Banat (Timiș, Arad, Hunedoara and Caraș-Severin counties), Dobrogea (Constanta, Călărași, Tulcea and Ialomița counties) and Muntenia (in Bucharest, Ilfov and Giurgiu). In case you live in a different county, you must address the distribution operator there. What you must know is that you cannot replace your electricity distributor. The low, medium and high voltage grid in a county – made up of substations, poles, underground and overhead cables, meters, remote control systems, etc. – is managed by one distributor only.

Unlike the distribution activity, the supply activity is not restricted to certain areas of the country and you can replace your supplier at all times, regardless of the area you live in. You can stay on the regulated market or you can opt for the competitive market, the decision is yours and it may rely on the price, the payment methods, the quality of the services, etc.

All aspects related to the power grid fall under our scope of duty – the expansion of the grid through the connection of new consumers, maintenance, modernization investments, interventions to remedy grid faults in the case of current interruptions, the mounting of smart meters, the measurement of consumption through meters, the technical quality of the distributed power. We make sure you have electricity at home, with the fewest and shortest possible interruptions. In other words, our services are:

• network connection i.e. connecting consumers and producers to the distribution network
• distribution of electricity to customers and producers connected to the network, depending on certain characteristics (e.g., power and voltage);
• measurement, which relates to the installation and maintenance of meters, the monitoring and reporting of electrical measurements

In the case of a power outage, we need to call us at the troubleshooting numbers.

However, the supplier’s activity involves the sale of energy to consumers (in the case of prosumers, the same and purchase) - manages the energy offers and subscriptions, sends your invoices, can send various products and related services and provides assistance under certain circumstances. For instance, the supplier operates as an intermediary in the case of damages. The distribution contracts is, in most cases, concluded through a supplier. The costs for the energy consumed, as well as the regulated costs are invoiced to you by the supplier. You might have noticed on the supplier’s electricity invoice the regulated costs related to one of our services - electricity distribution.

You are in a relation with the supplier and with the distributor and these two also are under a contractual relation.