After months of legislative preparation, Romania has taken concrete steps to operationalize the framework for Guarantees of Origin (GOs). In November 2025, amendments to Government Emergency Ordinance (GEO) 163/2022 were enacted through GEO 59/2025, establishing the foundations for a functional, EU‑aligned system for issuing, transferring, and monitoring GOs.

 

Strengthened commitment to RES deployment. PPAs and favourable RES areas

The Ministry of Energy (in collaboration with ANRE) is to assess barriers to long‑term PPAs and remove unjustified obstacles by 31 December 2026. It is clearly listed that PPAs must not be subject to discriminatory procedures or fees. A new obligation on both institutions is set, namely, to monitor and report quantities of renewable energy traded via PPAs; in the context of the rising number of PPAs concluded in the last two years on the Romanian market, this is most welcome.

Another interesting and useful provision resides in laying the foundation for a coordinated national mapping effort (involving multiple ministries, operators, and local authorities) to identify onshore and offshore areas suitable for RES generation facilities (considering available grid infrastructure, storage installations, etc.) with a view to 2030 RES necessities. The deadline set for this effort (i.e. 30 December 2025) is – obviously to be adapted (as it probably remained unchanged from an older draft).

 

Guarantees of Origin: Key aspects

Guarantees of Origin certify the renewable origin of energy, enabling transparent and reliable tracking across the market. Only one GO may be issued per MWh of renewable energy produced. Guarantees of Origin are valid for one year from the production date of the respective energy; GOs expire 18 months after the issuance date (unless earlier annulled). The regulation states the principle that GOs linked to the energy which forms subject to a PPA may be transferred to the respective off-takers. For PPAs signed from 1 December 2025, producers benefiting from support schemes may transfer GOs until 31 December 2026.

 

Designing GOs secondary framework. Preparatory steps/responsible authorities

The regulation imposed (and ANRE complied in the meantime with) the application for becoming an observer member of AIB. As such, the first step was made: Romania became on observer member of AIB since late November 2025. This status enables Romania to have access to European Energy Certificate System (EECS) infrastructure maintained by AIB, to attend AIB meetings, but without voting rights.

By 31 March 2026, ANRE must prepare the necessary studies for developing regulations governing the issuance and tracking of guarantees of origin for electricity produced from renewable sources and from nuclear energy.

Within 60 days of completing the required studies, the Ministry of Energy must prepare and publish on its website an impact assessment on opening the market for trading guarantees of origin.

By 1 June 2026, following prior consultation with the Ministry of Energy, ANRE must establish a timeline for the gradual opening of a Guarantees of Origin trading market, using a standardized and mutually recognised system at EU level, to be fully operational by 1 January 2027.

By 30 September 2026, ANRE must draft and issue, the regulation on issuing and tracking guarantees of origin for electricity produced from renewable sources, establishing the rules for issuance, validity, transfer, annulment, and expiration. Said regulation will replace Government Decision No. 1232/2011 which is currently the Guarantees of Origin main regulation normative act.

Romanian institutions are to prepare internal infrastructure to ensure compatibility with AIB systems. As of 1 January 2027, Romania aims to obtain full AIB membership and fully open its Guarantees of Origin trading market.

 

Final considerations

Romania is transitioning toward a modern, transparent, and EU‑integrated Guarantees of Origin system that supports renewable investment, improves traceability, and aligns national mechanisms with European energy certification standards. This marks a huge transformational step taken by Romania: by enabling a fully functional and EU integrated market for Guarantees of Origin, Romania will provide renewable energy investors with a predictable monetization mechanism, strengthen long term revenue certainty for projects, and enhance the competitiveness of Romanian issued GOs on European markets — ultimately facilitating closing of PPAs, accelerating bankable investments and improving Romania’s ability to attract large scale clean energy investments.

Co-Author: Ana Ivanescu, Associate Lawyer at Vlasceanu & Partners