Romania may delay the full liberalisation of gas prices for households beyond March 2027, as policymakers weigh the risk of higher bills against the financial and regulatory demands of returning to market-based pricing. Energy Minister-designate Dumitru Chisalita has called for at least another year of preparation before existing household protections are removed. Under the current schedule, regulated arrangements can expire from April 1, 2027.
Regulated and market prices diverge
Industry representatives warn that the change could trigger a significant price shock if wholesale gas prices stay high. Forward prices for the second quarter of 2027 have already risen above €60/MWh, according to figures cited in the newsletter. Romania currently caps the producer price of gas supplied to households at about €21/MWh, leaving a substantial gap with forward-market levels.
That difference is central to the liberalisation debate. A rapid removal of controls could sharply increase household bills, while an extension would prolong government intervention and leave suppliers facing continued financial uncertainty. Wholesale gas prices were described as around 170% above their level a year earlier.
Suppliers need time to prepare
Market participants have questioned whether February and March are suitable months for preparing the transition, with heating demand still high and storage inventories typically lower. Suppliers need time to arrange gas procurement, transmission, distribution and storage before moving fully to competitive pricing. Additional Romanian output from the Neptun Deep offshore field, scheduled to begin in 2027, could eventually improve market liquidity and ease some of the pressure. The industry is also awaiting a government decision on outstanding compensation tied to earlier electricity and gas price-control schemes.
Current timetable remains unchanged
The existing liberalisation schedule has not formally changed. Any decision will require the government to balance consumer affordability, supplier finances and market liquidity. It must also take account of its broader commitment to competitive energy pricing.
