Gas prices have exceeded 500 lei/MWh, while Romania is importing gas to cover domestic consumption

Riana Gegiu

28 October 2026, 12:56

Economy

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Natural gas prices in Romania have exceeded 500 lei/MWh, reaching a peak of 520 lei on the Romanian Commodities Exchange for delivery on October 28, 2026. This is the highest level recorded on this market since December 2022, amid the approaching cold season and supply pressures.

The average price for immediate delivery reached 486 lei/MWh, while the traded volume stood at 92.7 GWh. At the end of February, gas was selling for approximately 150 lei/MWh, meaning that the average price has tripled in about eight months.

On the same day, Romania imported approximately 14.7 million cubic meters of gas and exported 6.7 million, resulting in net imports of about 8 million cubic meters. Domestic production, estimated at 249 GWh per day, did not fully cover current consumption.

Romania's storage facilities were approximately 88% full, with 29.8 TWh stored, compared with 98% and 33.2 TWh during the same period in 2025. The legal deadline for reaching a 90% level is October 31.

Household bills are protected through the mechanism provided for by Emergency Ordinance 12/2026, but industry and large consumers may face higher costs, which could later be reflected in the prices of products and services.

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Context: The increase in gas prices started earlier, amid tensions in the Middle East and problems with LNG shipments

Before the recent highs recorded in Romania, gas prices rose rapidly in September: gas delivered domestically exceeded 360 lei/MWh, while between February 27 and September 7, prices on the Romanian Commodities Exchange increased by 125%, reaching nearly 2.5 times the level of seven months earlier. The development was attributed to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and uncertainties surrounding shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, compounded by relatively low European stocks.

At the same time, in preparation for the cold season, the Ministry of Energy had previously announced that Romania’s gas storage facilities had reached 76.26% (approximately 2.43 billion cubic meters), above the EU average, with a target of 80% by October 1. Meanwhile, on the TTF market, quotations reached 83–84 euros/MWh, influenced by geopolitical tensions, problems in the global LNG market, and lower European stocks.