Capping energy prices would mean a step back in the development of the market, and the authorities should take measures that make economic sense, through which to help only those consumers who need it, said on Thursday, Bogdan Chiritoiu, president of the Competition Council.

“There is a lot of talk about capping. We can’t influence energy exchanges, the wholesale market, which are part of the European market. Where we can and want to take action is the relationship between suppliers and customers, industrial or domestic, we can influence that. We can look at taxes, to subsidize some of them, which is currently proposed, but we cannot affect pieces that are not under our control. I would not want us to take a step back from this crisis, to return to the circle. We need to stay calm, find measures that make economic sense, that is, those that target aid,” Chiriţoiu said, according to Agerpres.

According to him, if the gas price increases are transient, the electricity tariffs will remain high for several years from now.

“We need to help only those who need it, not to come up with measures, as we have done so far, which spread this help and make it very expensive. We get to help those who need it, but also those who do not need it. I already offered my own example. If the bill increases by 50 lei, it’s not something I can’t afford. So, people like me should not benefit from this state protection. The decision will be taken by the Parliament, the Government, but my public policy recommendation will be that this time we target aid for those who are vulnerable and need it and not waste resources,” he continued.

Competitive mechanisms must remain on the market and authorities must encourage consumers to choose the cheapest energy suppliers, he added. At the same time, energy prices would be even higher if we did not have imports, Chiriţoiu added.