Energy Minister Dumitru Chisăliță is preparing to extend the gas price cap and introduce new measures for vulnerable consumers

Raluca Ioana Draghici

3 November 2026, 17:30

Economy

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Energy Minister Dumitru Chisăliță announced that the Government is analyzing an extension of the gas price cap and is preparing, together with the Ministry of Labor, new forms of support for vulnerable consumers. The measures are being assessed amid a difficult winter and the risk of higher electricity bills.

The current price-cap scheme for household consumers expires on March 31, 2027. The minister says that an abrupt transition to the liberalized market would be risky, given that Romania has gas supplies below consumption levels. If the cap is extended, prices next winter could remain similar to current levels.

Authorities are also discussing changes to the criteria for granting aid, including income thresholds and the value of the energy voucher. At present, the support amounts to 50 lei per month and is granted to single people with incomes of no more than 1,940 lei, as well as to families where income per household member does not exceed 1,784 lei. The specific measures could be announced in November or by the end of the year.

Regarding fuel, Chisăliță supports capping the commercial markup at the 2025 level and extending the measure to all petroleum products. Gasoline could become cheaper by up to 50 bani per liter, while a reduction in the excise duty depends on the Ministry of Finance.

The minister estimates that electricity bills could increase by 10%-22% this winter. However, there are prospects for restarting at least one reactor at Cernavodă in November.

Context: before discussions about capping gas prices and aid for vulnerable consumers, authorities and the industry warned about risks in the energy market

Previously, Energy Minister Dumitru Chisăliță estimated that electricity bills could increase in the coming period by 10%-22% compared with the same period last year, based on the offers published by suppliers on the ANRE platform. At the same time, he said that household gas consumers should not face price increases greater than those of last year as long as the price cap remains in force, while increases, including of more than 20%, have been reported for non-household consumers, especially for contracts without fixed prices or linked to daily quotations.

Meanwhile, Chisăliță, in his capacity as minister, declared himself opposed to liberalizing the household gas market from April 1, 2027, warning that a rapid transition could lead to price increases after a winter with high demand and depleted storage facilities, arguing that the process should be prepared at least 12 months in advance.

At industry level, the Intelligent Energy Association warned that the cold season of 2026-2027 could be more challenging because of the low level of gas storage in the country and in Europe.