The amounts paid from the state budget for the mayoralties that do not have the money to buy the gas necessary for the centralized thermal energy distribution systems will be increased, according to a draft normative act of the Ministry of Development, writes e-nergia.ro.

Based on the current legislation, for the period between November 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022, the Government allocates to the budgets of the administrative-territorial units a subsidy to cover the increase of the gigacalorie price. The subsidy is equal to 50% of the difference between the purchase price of natural gas and the capped price of natural gas of 0.250 lei/kWh.

The subsidy will be increased, even doubled, for cities that show that they cannot support the operation of heat supply services due to rising gas prices.

“The amounts allocated according to par. (4) may not exceed twice the subsidy allocated according to par. (1) – (3)… (6) – The amounts granted according to par. (4) – (5) refers to the subsidy allocated according to par. (1) – (3) for the consumption of natural gas from January, respectively February 2022,” it is shown in the text.

Several mayors have recently called for financial support from the Government, as the rise in gas prices, which cannot be accompanied by an equivalent increase in prices paid by the population, risks leading to a halt in the supply of heat.