Romania maintains its objective of protecting Romanians living in energy poverty and that is precisely why the Ministry of Labour has been working on a clear definition of this type of consumer, the minister of energy, Sebastian Burduja, stated on Tuesday.

„The Romanian government has extended the compensation-cap scheme precisely taking into account a European reality, with increases in gas of up to 60% and in electricity of 25-30%. Given this context, the extension is for three months for electricity, so it is no joke, even if today is April 1. Until July 1, the compensation-cap remains exactly as Romanians know it for electricity. For gas, it remains exactly as Romanians know it, for another year, until April 1, 2026. For electricity, the Ministry of Labour has been working together to have a clear definition for the vulnerable energy consumer and the direction of state support to those consumers after July 1. Otherwise, we are prepared to have working scenarios for what is happening regionally, the development of the conflict in Ukraine, the development on the energy market at European level. This scenario of doubling or exploding prices is not supported. It is true, we must nevertheless take into account that we have the same capped prices for two and a half years, maybe three years. There was inflation in this country. Only taking this into account resulted in certain necessary adjustments. Today, these are the solutions at hand, they are the tools we have in our toolbox for a slightly longer term,” Burduja said.

According to the official, by July 1, things related to vulnerable consumers will be clarified.

He also mentioned that a series of challenges may arise for the „still quite rigid” national energy system, when there is a surplus in energy production.

„It is not just a challenge for Romania, it is a challenge at European level because, in general, on weekends or on holidays, such as Easter, consumption is lower and if there happens to be a large production, the wind is blowing, for example, or it is a sunny day, then there may be certain challenges for a system that is still quite rigid. That is why we need flexibility in the system. That is why we need investments like Tarnita – Lapustesti, pumped storage hydropower plants, precisely so that we can benefit from this energy when we need it most, that is, at peak consumption times,” the minister of energy said.

The minister of energy, Sebastian Burduja, on Tuesday participates in the debate on the topic „The role of the energy sector in the development of the economy,” organized by Financial Intelligence and the Federation of Associations of Energy Utilities Companies – ACUE.

AGERPRES