The Romanian Government has decided to prolong the regulated cap on natural gas prices for households, adopting an emergency ordinance that keeps the measure in place for another year. The cap, originally scheduled to expire in April 2026, will now remain effective until April 2027.
Under the extension, residential consumers will continue paying no more than 0.06 euros/kWh, regardless of movements in international gas markets. Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan explained that the decision comes amid a sharp surge in global prices, with gas quotations jumping by nearly 70 % in just a few days.
While the measure currently applies only to household users, authorities are exploring options to protect businesses from potential cost increases once existing safeguards for companies expire at the end of March. Romania first introduced regulated price limits for both electricity and natural gas in response to the 2022 energy crisis, covering January 2023 to March 2025 for households and companies. The scheme was later extended, with electricity controls prolonged until June 2025 and the gas cap until March 2026.
Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan outlined several reasons for the latest decision. A key factor is the expected expansion of domestic gas supply in the coming years. According to PM Bolojan, Romania is set to significantly increase production capacity, potentially doubling available supply and moving closer to full energy independence. Liberalizing the gas market would be safer once sufficient volumes are available to prevent price shocks. Maintaining predictable energy costs also supports economic stability and helps reduce inflation, ensuring stable conditions for households.
The Government additionally cited geopolitical uncertainty as a factor. Rising tensions in the Gulf region and potential disruptions in global oil and gas supply chains could drive international energy prices higher, reinforcing the need for continued consumer protection measures.
