The E.ON official added Petrom’s intention to boost natural gas prices by 6% is not final, and talks continue on the matter with local energy regulator ANRE.
Petrom said late-September it wants to increase the price of locally made gas by some 6%, to 525 lei (EUR120) from RON495 per thousand cubic meters.
“A potential increase of some 6% would increase the price paid by industrial consumers by less than 1%, calculated on a 30% share for imports,” the company said in a news release.
In addition, the company said the price of locally made gas has not been adjusted since February 2008, and such a change would observe all relevant legislation.
On the other hand, industrial consumers have faced two price increases this year, namely 10% in July and 8% on October 1. The price paid by households and thermal power producers, however, has remained constant, and will be maintained until March 31, 2012, according to an ANRE decision.
OMV Petrom has little to benefit form the price hikes applied in July and October. The company distributes gas through Petrom Distributie Gaze, which was founded in 2007 and serves 14,000 clients, mostly in rural areas.
A price hike decision by Petrom cannot be challenged by ANRE, since the company sells gas at negotiated prices, without ANRE regulation.
The head of the IMF mission to Romania, Jeffrey Franks, told MEDIAFAX in May that the price of gas delivered to companies would rise, since the government committed to use a new calculation formula. (EUR1=RON4.3159)