Romania has among the lowest energy prices, Minister Sebastian Burduja said, citing Eurostat data. We are ranked third in natural gas and fifth in electricity.
Romania, among the lowest energy prices in Europe
According to data provided by Eurostat and communicated by the Ministry of Energy, Romanians have among the lowest tariffs for electricity and natural gas in the European Union, welcome news for consumers and industry.
According to the report, the price of natural gas for Romanian households was the third lowest in the EU, with only 0.0563 euro/kWh, compared to the European average of 0.1125 euro/kWh. In terms of electricity, Romania ranks fifth in terms of low prices, with 0.1782 euro/kWh, compared to the EU average of 0.2847 euro/kWh.
The Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja, emphasized that these data confirm the success of the support scheme for energy consumers in the country.
“We have yet another confirmation that the support scheme for energy consumers in Romania is working. Eurostat confirms that Romanians pay among the lowest prices in the European Union. We have extended the scheme and are keeping electricity and natural gas prices under control until March 31, 2025. So, we are practically protecting the population and companies from possible price fluctuations, including for next winter,” declared the Minister of Energy.
The three countries with the lowest natural gas prices for domestic consumers in the EU, in the second half of 2023, were Hungary, Croatia and Romania. For the economy, non-household consumers, Romania ranked 3-4 with the lowest price, depending on certain consumption segments.
For EU households, electricity prices in the second half of 2023 were the lowest in Hungary, Bulgaria, Malta, Croatia and Romania.
Eurostat highlighted that in the second half of last year, electricity and gas bills of European consumers registered a general decrease, contrary to the upward trend of the previous period.
The average electricity price for household consumers in the EU fell to 28.5 euros per 100 kWh, compared to 29.4 euros in the first half of the previous year. Also, the average price of gas for household consumers decreased to 11.3 euros per 100 kWh, compared to 11.9 euros in the first half of 2023.
This decline was more pronounced for industrial consumers, improving conditions for the industry.
Where have energy prices risen the most?
Among member states, electricity prices for household consumers fell in 13 EU countries in the second half of last year, but rose in another 13. For industrial consumers, prices fell in 17 member countries.
Calculated in national currency, the highest electricity price increases were recorded in the Netherlands (86.3%), the Czech Republic (81.9%) and Poland (26.93%). On the other hand, the most significant decreases in electricity prices were recorded in Denmark (minus 39.3%), Spain (minus 29.9%) and Belgium (minus 15.8%).
The European Statistical Office states that a comparison could not be made in Romania due to the fact that in 2022 it used a different calculation methodology.
Expressed in euros, the lowest electricity prices for household consumers were recorded in the second half of last year in Hungary (0.1132 euros per KWh), Bulgaria (0.1192 euros) and Malta (0.1279 euros). At the opposite pole, the highest prices were recorded in Germany (0.4020 euro per KWh), Ireland (0.3794 euro) and Belgium (0.3778 euro).
Where have gas prices risen the most?
For natural gas, in the period between the second semester of 2022 and the second half of last year, prices calculated in national currencies increased the most in Lithuania (67.7%), Poland (24.3%) and Slovakia ( 22.4%) and decreased the most in Greece (minus 42.1%), Denmark (minus 41.3%) and Bulgaria (minus 40.1%).
The European Statistical Office states that a comparison could not be made in Romania due to the fact that in 2022 it used a different calculation methodology.
In total, gas prices for household consumers decreased in 12 EU countries and increased in 12 states. For industrial consumers, gas prices have decreased in most countries, with the exception of three member states, which indicates a clear downward trend.
Expressed in euros, the lowest gas prices for household consumers were recorded in the second half of last year in Hungary (0.0335 per KWh), Croatia (0.0435 euros) and Romania (0.0469 euros). At the opposite pole, the highest prices were registered in Sweden (0.2070 per KWh), Ireland (0.1415 euros) and the Netherlands (0.0802 euros).
