The gradual liberalization of energy prices for the population in Romania has been postponed by two years, and will be carried out between 2013 and 2017, according to Istvan Szekely, head of the European Commission ( EC ) mission to Romania. For industrial consumers, the regulated tariffs will be phased out by the end of 2013.

“The Government will decide on energy and gas prices,” said Istvan Szekely. “It is very important to make sure that there is not a big increase on January 1, 2014 that will cause shocks to the industry,” he added.

“The regulated prices for industrial consumers will be gradually eliminated by the end of 2013. For households, prices will be adjusted gradually to reach the market levels by 2017, and not 2015 as originally agreed,” said Jeffrey Franks, the head of the IMF mission to Romania.

An IMF mission, headed by Jeffrey Franks, together with the European Commission and World Bank, arrived in Bucharest on January 25 for the fourth review of the standby arrangement with Romania. The next program evaluation mission is planned for late April.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Sxc.hu)