ANRE-authorised electrician: what the certification grades mean and why they matter
When you want a new electrical connection (bransament), a power upgrade (spor de putere) or a grid-connected electrical installation, the first practical question is not “how much does it cost”, but “who is allowed to do the work”. The answer comes down to a single thing: ANRE authorisation. Without an ANRE-authorised electrician and a certified company, your documentation will not be accepted by the distribution operator, and the connection cannot be legally energised (punere sub tensiune).
In this article we explain clearly what the ANRE certificate is, what grades I-IV mean, the difference between types A and B and, most importantly, why it matters for your specific project.
What an ANRE-authorised electrician actually is
ANRE is the National Energy Regulatory Authority. This institution regulates the energy market and, among other things, authorises individuals and certifies companies that design and execute utilisation installations and grid connection (racordare) installations.
In practical terms, there are two levels of authorisation you need to distinguish:
- The ANRE-authorised electrician is an individual who has passed the ANRE examination and holds a licence (certificate) with a grade and a type. The certificate has limited validity and must be renewed periodically.
- The ANRE-certified company is the legal entity that holds a type A (design) and/or type B (execution) certificate and has authorised electricians on its team. The distribution operator works contractually with the company, not with the individual electrician.
For a connection linked to the public grid, both matter: you need a certified company to submit and execute the work, and the actual work must be covered by authorised electricians with the appropriate grade.
The ANRE certificate grades: I, II, III and IV
The certificate grade shows the level of voltage and complexity the electrician is permitted to work on. In short, the higher the grade, the higher the voltage and the scale of the installations permitted.
| Grade | Voltage level / complexity | Examples of typical work |
|---|---|---|
| Grade I | Low voltage, limited power | Simple single-phase connections, small utilisation installations |
| Grade II | Low voltage, higher power | Three-phase connections, extended utilisation installations |
| Grade III | Medium voltage | Transformer substations, MV connections, complex risers |
| Grade IV | High voltage and complex installations | Large-scale stations and installations |
Important: the exact classification by grade and the power/voltage thresholds are established by the ANRE regulations in force and may be updated. The point to remember is not to memorise the figures, but the principle: for each type of work there is a minimum required grade, and a lower-grade certificate does not cover work of higher voltage or complexity.
Type A vs type B: design or execution
In addition to the grade, each certificate has a type, which shows what the holder can do:
- Type A — design. It allows the preparation of electrical installation designs, including the connection design required for the dossier submitted to the operator.
- Type B — execution. It allows the physical carrying out of the work: installation, connections, testing, energisation (punere sub tensiune).
Many companies hold only one type. For a complete turnkey project, you need the same company to cover both stages or to collaborate in a controlled manner with a designer. SUN WATT SRL is ANRE-certified for both design (A) and execution (B), which means that from the dossier through to energisation you work with a single accountable partner.
Why certification matters for your connection
You may be wondering whether an electrician who is “good, but without the paperwork” could do the job more cheaply. The answer, for any grid-connected work, is no. Here is why.
1. The operator does not accept unauthorised documentation
Your connection goes through the distribution operator, Retele Electrice Romania S.A. (formerly E-Distributie Muntenia / Enel, part of the PPC group). In order to obtain the technical connection approval (ATR) and, subsequently, the supply contract, the dossier must be signed by certified designers and contractors. Work done “off the books” cannot be legally energised.
2. Warranty, compliance and safety
A certificate means accountability assumed. The authorised electrician signs off the work, is responsible for compliance with the standards (for example I7) and carries out the necessary tests, such as PRAM measurements and the earthing electrode check. In electrical installations, a wrong connection does not just mean a fine, but a risk of fire and electrocution.
3. You avoid blockages and hidden costs
The most common costly scenario: the work is carried out without authorisation, and the operator rejects the dossier. You redo everything with a certified company and pay twice over. By starting out with an ANRE-authorised electrician, you go through the stages correctly: connection request, ATR, design, execution and energisation.
What to check with an ANRE-certified company
Before you sign, ask for and verify:
- The company’s certificate (type A and/or B) and its validity;
- The grade appropriate for your work (for example, MV for a transformer substation);
- Experience with your distribution operator and with your area (Bucuresti, Ilfov, Giurgiu);
- Transparency on price: an indicative quote now, final price set through the ATR.
For guidance, with us a single-phase connection starts from 1,800 lei, a three-phase one from 2,900 lei, and an underground connection from 3,500 lei. These figures are indicative; the final price depends on the technical solution in the technical connection approval (ATR). The full details are on the prices page, and for a quick estimate you can use the connection cost calculator.
How we work at SUN WATT
As an ANRE-certified company for design and execution, with a national DIU (Utilisation Installation Dossier), we take the work from start to finish:
- We analyse the requirement (single-phase, three-phase, power upgrade, prosumer, etc.);
- We prepare the dossier and the design, and assist with obtaining the technical connection approval (ATR);
- We execute the connection and the utilisation installation in accordance with the design;
- We carry out the testing, earthing electrode and measurements, then prepare the energisation.
Whether you need a single-phase connection, a power upgrade or complete electrical installations, the work is covered by authorised personnel and by a certified company.
Conclusion
The ANRE certificate is not a bureaucratic formality, but the guarantee that your work is legal, safe and accepted by the distribution operator. The grades (I-IV) show the permitted voltage level, while types A and B separate design from execution. For a hassle-free connection, choose an ANRE-authorised electrician and a company certified for both components right from the start.
Do you have a specific project? Call 0733 097 440 or write to us through the contact page for an assessment and an indicative quote.