Romania caps electricity, gas prices for another 12 months

The Romanian government has decided to cap electricity and natural gas prices for households and small businesses. The measure will apply from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, after a similar scheme that was in force since November.

The Romanian government expects the measures to be applied to 8 million electricity consumers and all gas consumers.

Electricity prices are capped for vulnerable households or those who may find themselves in a situation of energy poverty based on the average monthly consumption achieved in 2021, the government said on its website.

The price of electricity will be capped at 14 euro cents

Households with average monthly consumption of 100 kWh or less in 2021 will pay 14 euro cents (RON 0.68) per kWh while the price for the ones with consumption between 100 kWh and 300 kWh will be 16 euro cents (RON 0.80).

If the consumer contracted a lower price with their supplier, the lower price will be applied, the government said.

For natural gas, the price will be 6.3 euro cents (RON 0.31) per kWh.

Prices limited for small firms, heat producers

In order to protect the economy and safeguard jobs, prices of electricity and natural gas for non-household customers will also be capped, with the exception of large consumers who will benefit from an industry-specific scheme, the governments said.

The maximum price for electricity will be 20 euro cents (RON 1).

The price of gas will be capped at 7.5 euro cents (RON 0.37) per kWh for small firms with an annual consumption in 2021 of up to 50,000 MWh, and for companies producing heat used by other customers.

Of note, the government earlier said the subsidies for power and gas bills would cost it EUR 2.9 billion by the end of the year, of which EUR 1.85 billion is for electricity.