Experts warn: energy bills could rise by 30% this winter

Electricity bills could rise by more than 30% this winter, according to a warning issued exclusively to Realitatea Plus by Dian Popescu, an energy expert. Energy journalist Ciprian Cherciu also argues that Romania will continue to face high prices, as the country lacks energy storage capacity.

What the energy expert says

Dian Popescu explained that the ad hoc measures taken by the Romanian state are causing it to lose money it would otherwise collect daily into the budget, as a result of a "chaotic liberalisation" of the market. He warned that Europe is behind on gas storage ahead of the winter season, and that this will drive a sharp rise in prices across Europe.

"During the winter period, new contracts will certainly come with electricity bills increased by more than 30%. Not gas for now, but electricity bills up by more than 30%," said Dian Popescu.

The expert also stated that, in his opinion, the current government and the Ministry of Energy are no longer capable of making sound decisions to halt the rise in gas, fuel, and electricity prices in the coming period, arguing that such decisions should be left to specialists.

Lack of storage capacity, a problem for Romania

Ciprian Cherciu pointed out that Romania has very significant solar energy potential, ranking among the countries with the highest potential in this field, yet only a fraction of it is being harnessed. He noted that the solution would have been to invest in storage batteries, as other European countries have done, including Germany and Bulgaria.

According to the journalist, Bulgaria is a particularly noteworthy case, having — based on an article he read recently — the highest battery storage capacity per capita.