Bogdan Tudorache
There is no danger of rising gas and electricity prices, told energynomics.ro Niculae Havrileț, State Secretary for Energy within the Ministry of Economy (MEEMA). Although the Minister of Economy (MEEMA), Virgil Popescu, had stated that he would issue an order explaining the need to cap gas prices, this order was no longer issued, Havrileț said.
“We consider that the cap on energy and gas prices is the freezing of the price at the final consumption rate, (taking as reference) March 29th. The evolution of prices in the wholesale market is a very good one for the final consumer, as very low prices are recorded for both gas and electricity. These are good elements for the final consumer, and we may be able to record prices lower than the prices capped at March 29. Finally, the liberalized markets work, and I believe that the regulated markets will be aligned at a lower level than the price of the contract, at the present time, and in fact in the Military Ordinance it is specified that the price can be changed, provided that it has a lower level than March 29. So, as far as there will be the possibility of falling prices, the market can evolve further in this regard,” said Havrileț.
“In wholesale markets prices have dropped drastically, even on electricity, and gas.”
At the same time, the liberalization of the gas market will take place, according to the calendar. “In my personal opinion, I think that liberalization is an opportunity to consider the development of free markets. Whoever wants to stay in the regulated market will be able to stay a quarter from July 1, and who wants to leave the regulated market faster, will be free to change the supplier faster, provided it offers a smaller price.”
Most contracts are concluded online, and consumers who do not have online means will remain under the regulated regime, thus being “protected from shocks”. “In the natural gas market I do not see a danger in the sense of rising prices. And for electricity there are signs that the market will not grow drastically, ”Havrileț explained.