“There is a schedule agreed with the IMF, which states clear terms for the entire legislation on electricity and gas, and these terms need to be met by the time of the next IMF board meeting, on March 21,” Suciu said.
Energy prices paid by households are regulated by ANRE, for social protection reasons. The European Commission and the IMF have asked the government to liberalize prices, bringing them to EU levels.
The regulated electricity prices paid by households will be eliminated between 2013 and 2017. The same will apply for natural gas prices.
The European Commission has sent Romania, among others, reasoned opinions urging compliance with the legal obligation of liberalizing the electricity and natural gas markets, with a two-month response timeframe.
The Directives on electricity and natural gas were supposed to be transposed into national legislations by March 3, 2011, according to an EC news release.
Some 7-7.2 million household consumers in Romania, representing 83%-86% of the total, could pay higher prices for energy starting next year, once prices start deregulation, while only 14%-17% would receive state aid.