The Romanian Government has enacted an emergency ordinance to extend the regulated price cap on natural gas for households, prolonging the measure by one year until April 2027. This decision comes in response to significant fluctuations in international gas prices, which have surged nearly 70% in a matter of days, prompting concerns about affordability for residential consumers.
Under the new provisions, households will continue to pay a maximum of 0.06 euros per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for natural gas, insulating them from volatile market conditions. Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan emphasized that this extension is crucial as global energy prices remain unpredictable, thereby necessitating protective measures for consumers.
This regulatory framework was first introduced during the 2022 energy crisis and initially set to cover the period from January 2023 to March 2025 for both residential and commercial users. Following subsequent evaluations, electricity price controls have been extended until June 2025, while the natural gas cap was previously set to expire in March 2026.
Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan highlighted that one of the motivations behind this extension is the anticipated growth in domestic gas production capacity. Romania aims to significantly increase its output, potentially doubling available supplies and moving towards greater energy independence. This strategic shift is seen as necessary for safely liberalizing the gas market in the future while maintaining stable energy costs that support economic stability and help mitigate inflationary pressures.
In addition to these factors, the government pointed out geopolitical uncertainties as a contributing reason for maintaining consumer protections. Heightened tensions in regions such as the Gulf could lead to further disruptions in global oil and gas supply chains, which may result in increased international energy prices. As such, continued measures are deemed essential to safeguard consumers against potential cost escalations.
