President of the Romanian National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) Niculae Havrilet said that imported natural gas will be 20 % cheaper this winter than natural gas produced in Romania.
At the Regional Energy Forum (FOREN), Havrilet explained that the possible losses for natural gas producers are a result of expected prices of natural gas on the international market, which should be around 15.47 euros/MWh. On the other hand, the price of natural gas produced in Romania and stored before 1 July is 17.68 euros/MWh, and 19.01 euros/MWh for the amounts stored after this date.
According to the gas prices liberalization calendar, the price of natural gas for households in Romania should go up by 10 % as of 1 July. Therefore, the suppliers will have to make a pool at the lowest price, which, along with the cheaper imports, will incur losses due to building up of stocks. The gas pool for households includes quotas of the current domestic production, stored and imported gas. ANRE sets these quotas in order to obtain the minimum end price of gas.
Nevertheless, Havrilet said that the continuation of price liberalization is necessary, adding that end price of natural gas for consumers will definitely not be increased by 10 % as of 1 July, transmits Serbia-energy.eu
