PPC Energie has launched a pilot initiative in Romania that will allow selected households to use electricity free of charge during specific periods of the day, with the aim of encouraging consumers to shift demand toward hours of high solar power generation.
The trial program will run from June to September 2026, while customer registration is open between 7 and 20 May. Participation is limited to the first 5,000 eligible customers. According to the company, households included in the scheme could benefit from approximately 70 hours of zero-cost electricity per month during the four-month pilot period.
The initiative is designed to demonstrate the benefits of integrating renewable energy and digitalized power systems. PPC Energie stated that the project aims to help consumers adjust their usage patterns to periods when solar generation is at its highest, potentially reducing overall electricity costs. Only customers equipped with smart meters connected to the company’s digital metering infrastructure will be eligible. Participants will receive advance notifications about free electricity intervals via email and through the myPPC mobile application, at least 12 hours before each time window begins.
The supplier emphasized that the pilot does not change existing electricity contracts, tariff structures, or supply conditions. Instead, customers will receive a commercial bonus on their monthly bills corresponding to electricity consumed during designated free periods.
The system automatically calculates the discount based on meter data transmitted by regional distribution operators. PPC Energie noted that the program could encourage households to run energy-intensive appliances or charge electric vehicles during hours of high solar output.
According to Ionuț Duna, General Manager of PPC Energie, the initiative is intended to familiarize customers with the advantages of solar generation and highlight the growing importance of smart energy infrastructure in optimizing electricity demand.
