Sebastian BURDUJA
Romanians pay among the lowest prices in the European Union for electricity and natural gas, according to Eurostat, a new confirmation of the fact that the consumer support scheme works, says the Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja.
According to data published by Eurostat (Statistical Office of the European Union), cited in a press release from the Ministry of Energy, the price of natural gas for households in Romania (0.0563 euro/kWh) was the 3rd lowest price in the EU and half compared to the average price registered at the level of the Union (0.1125 euro/kWh). At the same time, for electricity, the price paid in Romania (0.1782 euro/kWh) was the fifth lowest price in the EU and far below the European average (0.2847 euro/kWh).
“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,” the Energy Minister said in a statement.
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.
The electricity and gas bills of European consumers fell in the second half of last year, after the increase that started after the war in Ukraine and exploded during 2022, data published by Eurostat showed on Thursday.
According to these data, in the second half of 2023, the average electricity price for household consumers in the EU fell to 28.5 euros per 100 kWh, compared to 29.4 euros per 100 kWh in the first half of last year.
Also, the average gas price for household consumers decreased in the second half of last year to 11.3 euros per 100 kWh, compared to 11.9 euros per 100 kWh in the first half of 2023. Eurostat points out that for industrial consumers the decrease is more pronounced, which created better conditions for the industry.
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%), reports Agerpres.
Eurostat specifies 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).
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 specifies 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).
