The quality of electricity distribution service has improved compared to the situation 10 or 20 years ago, over 55% of Romanians believe, according to a Delgaz Grid and E.ON survey. Around 28% of consumers believe that investments will lead to a decrease in electricity prices over time; over 41% believe that adjusting distribution tariffs to support investments is justified, and 70% have a positive opinion of smart metering and note the advantages it brings to consumers.
As a solution to improve the performance indicators of the network (duration and frequency of outages) and the connection process to the network, 62.4% of the study participants believe that distribution operators should invest more in networks, while 27.5% say that those who want to become energy independent, i.e. to produce their own energy for their homes, should be encouraged more.
Almost 42% of respondents agree that the increase in distribution tariffs is justified, while 24% believe that large investments in networks are not necessary. The distribution tariff includes the costs necessary for the service that the distribution operator provides to ensure the efficient and safe transmission of electricity to consumers. It is a regulated tariff, approved annually by ANRE and is established depending on the distribution area and consumption category. Based on this tariff, operators determine their investments for the development of the distribution network.
When asked “What do you think will be the medium-term impact of investments in networks on the price you pay?”, 28.3% believe that the price of energy will decrease over time if investments are made in networks, 47.9% say that the price of energy will increase regardless of the level of investments in networks, while 12.9% do not see a connection between price and investments.
Regarding smart metering, 69.7% of Romanians have a good opinion about it and about the advantages brought to consumers, including the automatic transmission of the index and the issuance of invoices based on actual consumption. On the other hand, 12.9% believe that these devices give errors, record in excess and are dangerous for humans, and 17% say that they have not researched these devices so they cannot say one way or the other.