Romania’s Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja, announced the extension of the country’s energy price cap and compensation scheme, providing additional protection for consumers facing rising energy prices. The electricity price cap will be extended for three more months, while the natural gas price cap will remain in place for a full year. This decision is aimed at ensuring energy remains affordable for consumers amidst ongoing market instability.
Minister Burduja stressed the government’s commitment to maintaining energy accessibility and preventing abrupt price increases. Alongside the price cap extension, new support measures will be introduced, including energy vouchers for vulnerable consumers. A proposed emergency ordinance detailing these changes will be made public by the end of the week, with the government expected to adopt it next week.
Thanks to the current price cap system, Romania has the fourth-lowest natural gas prices and the fifth-lowest electricity prices in the EU. However, recent market fluctuations have raised concerns, with gas prices increasing by 40% and electricity prices by 25%. Without the price caps in place, these price hikes would have significantly raised consumer bills.
The Energy Minister also highlighted that sustainable reductions in energy bills depend on increasing domestic energy production. In 2024, Romania commissioned over 1,200 MW of new energy projects, including coal, solar, wind, and battery storage. The country plans to double that capacity this year.
