The decision on the mechanism for capping electricity and natural gas prices will be made by the Government and we expect to have a final decision by the end of next week, Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja said.
“As I stated from the beginning, the decision on the mechanism for capping electricity and natural gas prices will be made by the Government after the adoption of the budget, based on the scenarios discussed and analyzed since the middle of last year. So, we expect to have a final decision by the end of next week. One thing is certain, our goal is to ensure that every family has access to energy at an acceptable price, to the extent necessary for the stability of family budgets and without becoming a burden for households and the Romanian economic environment,” Burduja wrote on Tuesday on his Facebook page, according to Agerpres.
The Minister of Energy recalled that there are several scenarios, including the extension of the current mechanism for a transitional period (the base scenario) or the targeting of support measures mainly to vulnerable consumers, in the form of energy cards, which is also detailed in the government program. Burduja specified, however, that no decision has been made regarding energy cards.
“Recently, information has appeared in the public space about energy cards that would be distributed in 2025. It is important to clarify the situation: no official decision has been made in this regard. It is important to analyze ten times and make the best decision. I know that impatience is great and I assure you that we are working diligently, on complex models, to identify the best solution. One thing is certain: at this moment we know which are the scenarios from which we must choose the most appropriate option in order to maintain a balance between the state budget and the degree of affordability of consumers and market participants. They will be discussed with all relevant entities in the sector, and a decision will be made in the Government and will be communicated publicly, clearly and unequivocally,” the quoted source also indicated.
Burduja also emphasized that the restoration of the normal functioning of the free market is being considered, in a rational and gradual manner, so as to avoid sudden dynamics of energy bills. He explained that the energy market is still unstable and the price of gas has recently increased on the main exchanges, as a result of geopolitical tensions in the region, the decisions of the Russian Federation and the degree of storage at the level of the entire European Union.
“Poland, for example, has extended the mechanism for capping energy prices until September 30, 2025. We too must continuously respond to the changes taking place in the market and make the right decisions regarding the forms of additional support for energy consumers. I emphasize once again that the current mechanism has caused Romanians to pay among the lowest prices in the European Union. We pay the 4th lowest price for electricity and the 5th lowest for natural gas, according to Eurostat data. The correct – the only – solution for lower prices in bills is to increase the electricity and gas production capacity in Romania. That is why we launched the most ambitious investment plan since 1989, with over 14 billion euros in European funds attracted for the national energy system. Each new MW means a greater chance for lower bills for Romanians and Romanian companies. The positive effects of these projects will be felt in the years to come,” Sebastian Burduja also argued.
The 2025 state budget law was published on Monday in the Official Gazette. The budget of the Ministry of Energy benefits from an increase of approximately 150% compared to last year, with most of the money being allocated to finance investments from the Modernization Fund and the PNRR.