Gas meter. Photo: Looman | Dreamstime.com
The Ministry of Energy is working on a plan B regarding the liberalization of the gas market, scheduled for April 1, 2026. If prices will increase more than the current ceiling, the ministry is considering a calendar of gradual liberalization that will also include the winter of 2026-2027, the relevant minister, Bogdan Ivan, said on Thursday.
“From the predictions we have, we do not see an increase in the price of gas after March 31, 2026. Even now there are operators who supply below the price capped by law,” Ivan said at the end of the winter energy command.
In the event that market prices will rise above the ceiling level, the ministry is considering a timetable for gradual market liberalization, which would eliminate the risk of a bill shock, as happened last summer when the electricity market was liberalized.
“We want to make sure that during the next winter (2006/2027 – nr) we will not have disruptions and increased prices. We are now working on this scenario, which should extend for a period of one year, because we are interested in the cold season when we have a consumption peak, especially in the area of household consumers. (Liberalization – nr) It can be gradually, monthly, until 2027, for the whole market”, said Ivan.
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Romania could end up in front of the EU Court of Justice for extending the ceiling too long
The price of gas was capped in 2022, initially until April 1, 2025, later this term was extended until April 1, 2026. At the beginning of December, the Ministry of Energy stated to HotNews that it will maintain April 1, 2026 as the deadline for the liberalization of the gas market.
This, because there is already an infringement procedure opened by the European Commission against Romania in this sector, and the continuation of price capping may send our country to the Court of Justice of the EU.
On the other hand, the representatives of the ministry added that the Romanian authorities are negotiating with the representatives of the European Commission the introduction of a new protection mechanism for domestic consumers and the granting of state aid for industrial consumers.
The Association of Suppliers estimates price increases of approximately 5%
The Romanian Energy Suppliers Association (AFEER) estimates that the gas bill for the population could increase by approximately 5% from April 1, considering the prices on the wholesale market.
“At the moment, suppliers buy gas at the capped price of 120 lei per MWh. The storage part is added to this price, which is approximately 30 lei per MWh. The market price at the moment is somewhere around 170 lei,” said Laurentiu Urluescu, president of AFEER.
