Technical Connection Approval: what the ATR template contains and how to read each section
The Technical Connection Approval (ATR) is the document that effectively decides whether and how you connect to the electrical grid. Many clients receive the ATR from the operator, read it once and do not understand what each field means. This guide shows you what the ATR template issued by Retele Electrice Romania (formerly E-Distributie Muntenia) contains and how to read each section, so you make the right decisions before signing the connection contract.
What the Technical Connection Approval actually is
The ATR is the document through which the distribution operator approves the connection of a consumption or production point to the electrical grid. It establishes the power you can receive, the technical solution by which the electricity reaches you and how much the grid connection (racordare) costs.
The ATR is not just an informational piece of paper. It is the contractual basis on which the entire rest of the process is built: connection contract, design, electrical connection (bransament) execution, energisation (punere sub tensiune). If you want to understand the whole flow, see the dedicated technical connection approval (ATR) page.
The ATR template: the main sections
The template used by Retele Electrice Romania has a standard structure. Here are the sections you will find, in the order in which they usually appear in the document.
1. Identification details
The first section contains your name and details (or your company’s), the address and the connection request number. Check here that the name and the address of the consumption point are correct. A mistake in the address or the cadastral number can block the following steps.
2. Consumption point and location
This describes exactly where the installation is connected: the address, the cadastral number, possibly the coordinates. This section links the ATR to your property and to the physical point where the metering unit will be installed.
3. Approved power
The most important section. The operator records here:
- the approved maximum simultaneously absorbed power (in kW);
- the apparent power (in kVA), where applicable;
- the type of supply: single-phase (230 V) or three-phase (400 V).
The approved power determines whether you can operate with a single-phase connection or whether you need a three-phase connection. If you request more than the value recorded here, you need a new request or a power upgrade (spor de putere).
4. The technical connection solution
This section describes how the electricity physically reaches you: the type of connection (overhead or underground), the connection point in the grid, the approximate length of the connection and the necessary equipment. Here you find out whether the connection is made from the existing grid in the area or whether it involves additional works (grid extension, transformer station).
5. The connection tariff
The ATR includes an estimated value of the connection tariff. This is the amount you pay the operator for the grid connection. Please note: the tariff in the ATR is indicative until the connection contract is signed, when it becomes the firm value.
6. The validity period
The ATR has a limited validity, usually 12 months from issue. If you do not sign the connection contract within this period, the approval loses its validity and the process must be restarted.
7. Technical conditions and related approvals
The final part lists the conditions you must observe: carrying out the installation in accordance with the standards, possible approvals from other grid owners, the obligation to use an ANRE-certified contractor.
Table: how to read each section of the ATR
| ATR section | What it contains | Why it matters to you |
|---|---|---|
| Identification details | Name, address, request no. | Errors block the following steps |
| Consumption point | Address, cadastral no. | Links the approval to your property |
| Approved power | kW / kVA, single/three-phase | Determines the type of connection and the cost |
| Connection solution | Overhead/underground, connection point | Influences the price and duration of the work |
| Connection tariff | Estimated amount paid to the operator | Your budget for the grid connection |
| Validity | Usually 12 months | After expiry, you restart the process |
| Technical conditions | Standards, related approvals, certified contractor | Mandatory for energisation |
Common mistakes when reading the ATR
From our experience with clients in Bucharest, Ilfov and Giurgiu, these are the most frequent points of confusion:
- Confusing the approved power with the requested power. The operator may approve a value that differs from the one requested. Always read the approved value, not the one in the request.
- Ignoring the validity period. Many people leave the ATR “in a drawer” and miss the 12-month deadline.
- Believing the tariff in the ATR is the final one. The firm value appears in the connection contract.
- Skipping over the type of supply. Single-phase or three-phase completely changes the solution and the cost. If you need to switch from one phase to three, see single-phase to three-phase conversion.
Indicative prices for ATR-related services
The final cost is established through the ATR and through the approved connection solution. As a guide, the usual works start from:
- single-phase connection: from 1,800 lei;
- three-phase connection: from 2,900 lei;
- underground connection: from 3,500 lei;
- connection dossier and design: from 900 lei;
- ATR assistance: from 350 lei;
- power upgrade: from 350 lei.
The values are indicative; the final price depends on the solution approved in the ATR. You can quickly estimate using the electrical connection cost calculator or see the full list on the prices page.
How we help you with the ATR
SUN WATT SRL is an ANRE-certified company for execution and design. We prepare the dossier and the electrical grid connection design, submit the request to the operator and provide assistance with interpreting the ATR, so that you understand the approved power, the solution and the tariff before signing the connection contract.
If you have already received an ATR and you are not sure what it means, send it to us and we will explain each section. Call 0733 097 440 or write to us through the contact page.
Conclusion
The Technical Connection Approval is the map of your grid connection: it tells you how much power you receive, how the connection is made, how much it costs and how much time you have available. Read the approved power and the tariff first, check the type of supply and do not miss the validity period. With a correct interpretation of the ATR, you avoid surprises and get connected to electricity faster.