Government aid to help cover electricity bills

The government is looking for solutions to continue providing aid for electric bills

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Daniela Budu, 14.02.2022, 14:00

The price of electricity and natural gas in Romania followed the upward trend in Europe, and the government is currently looking for solutions to extend the aid schemes in the energy sector.

Last week 2 such schemes were approved, targeting energy producers and the local administration or inter-community development associations that put up or upgrade energy facilities.

A memorandum was also endorsed, extending the aid schemes for large energy consumers. According to the government spokesman Dan Cărbunaru, over EUR 82 million will be channelled to those investors that tap into renewable energy sources. The energy ministry was tasked to hold consultations with the European Commission regarding the extension of the state aid programme to support large energy consumers.

Dan Cărbunaru: “Everybody is affected, not only the smaller households, but big consumers as well. Obviously, we are talking about large amounts of money and the procedure requires the approval of the European Commission. The government was tasked with initiating talks as soon as possible, so that major consumers in Romania may continue to benefit from state aid in due time.”

Dan Cărbunaru also says that these measures are intended to preserve both the competitiveness of Romanian companies compared to other competitors in the EU and outside it, and to keep the around 200,000 jobs in these sectors.

Dan Cărbunaru: “These state aid schemes were implemented in Romania in 2019-2021. They were effective, given that these companies in energy-intensive sectors contribute an annual 6% of Romanias GDP. An important element to take into account are the jobs that a company benefitting from such state aid has to keep in place.”

In the forthcoming period, the government is to finalise new support measures for household consumers to cope with the surge in energy prices. Apart from the measures taken so far, the government plans to continue to shield the economy and households from the effects of the energy crisis after April 1 as well.

Dan Cărbunaru: “These support packages being prepared by the government are almost ready. I can confirm that the PM requested all stakeholders to find a solution which is as quick, as comprehensive and as easy to implement and to explain as possible.”

Within 2 weeks the government will have ready a set of measures concerning electricity bills, the finance minister Adrian Câciu said in his turn. (A.M.P.)