Choosing an electricity supplier for your company should not be based solely on comparing the price per MWh. In practice, the real cost of electricity also depends on the contract structure and additional charges that may not be immediately visible. In this article, we present five of the most common hidden costs in energy contracts for businesses in Romania and explain what companies should carefully analyse before signing an agreement.
Energy as One of the Most Important Operating Costs
For many companies, electricity represents one of the most significant operational expenses. This is particularly true for manufacturing, logistics, and other energy-intensive sectors.
In recent years, the volatility of electricity prices across Europe has led many businesses to treat energy procurement as part of strategic cost management.
However, the electricity price presented in an offer does not always reflect the total cost of a contract. In many cases, only a detailed analysis of all contractual components reveals the real cost of energy.
1. Balancing Costs
One of the most frequently overlooked elements in electricity supply offers is balancing costs.
Energy balancing refers to the difference between forecasted electricity consumption and the actual consumption of a company. Depending on the structure of the contract, these costs may be:
- included in the energy price
- billed separately
In the second scenario, a company may face additional costs that were not considered in the initial price calculation.
For this reason, it is important to clearly define who bears the risk of consumption deviations before signing a contract.
2. Price Adjustment Clauses
Some contracts marketed as Fixed Price may still include clauses allowing the electricity price to change under certain market conditions.
These clauses may relate to:
- regulatory changes
- extreme fluctuations in energy markets
- situations defined as “force majeure”
In practice, this means that the electricity price may not remain completely fixed for the entire duration of the contract.
Therefore, companies should carefully review price adjustment mechanisms or indexation clauses before signing.
3. Contracts Not Aligned with the Company’s Load Profile
Another frequent reason for higher-than-expected energy costs is the lack of analysis of the company’s actual electricity consumption profile (Load Profile).
The Load Profile shows how much electricity a company consumes during different hours of the day. This data is essential when designing an energy procurement strategy.
If an offer is based on an average or estimated consumption profile, the supplier may include an additional risk margin.
As a result, the company may end up paying more for electricity than its actual consumption would justify.
4. Administrative Fees and Additional Services
Some energy contracts may include additional administrative charges or costs related to supplementary services.
These may include:
- contract administration fees
- energy reporting services
- consultancy or advisory services
- additional analytical services
While these fees may appear relatively small individually, over the duration of a multi-year contract they can significantly increase the overall cost of electricity for a company.
5. Lack of Transparency in Price Structure
A well-structured energy contract should clearly present all components of the electricity price.
The offer should distinguish between:
- the price of active energy
- the supplier’s trading margin
- regulated costs such as distribution fees
Without this level of transparency, comparing offers becomes difficult and companies may struggle to accurately assess the real cost of the contract.
Why Reviewing an Energy Contract Is Essential
Energy supply contracts can last several years and have a significant impact on a company’s operational costs.
For this reason, companies should evaluate not only the electricity price but also:
- the structure of the contract
- how additional costs are calculated
- the level of transparency in the offer
A professional review of these elements can help businesses avoid unexpected costs in the future.
Support from the Respect Energy Romania Team
Selecting the right energy contract and analysing its structure requires both experience and deep knowledge of the energy market.
The Respect Energy Romania team supports businesses in evaluating energy offers, identifying potential risks, and selecting solutions that best match their business strategy.
With this approach, companies can make data-driven decisions and improve the long-term predictability of their energy costs.
Would you like to verify whether your current energy contract is structured correctly?
The Respect Energy Romania team can analyse your company’s electricity consumption profile and help you identify the most suitable contract model for your business.
