Romanian Natural Gas Prices Up 6% Since ’07, Vs 70% Worldwide

He added that he does not plan to raise natural gas or electricity household bills until July 1, as repeatedly requested by Romanian gas distributors who cited higher gas import costs.

“We don’t plan to raise gas household prices until July 1. We’ll see a further price adjustment starring July 1, according to the international gas market,” Vosganian said.

Gas distributors E.ON Gaz Romania, the local unit of Germany’s giant E.ON, and Distrigaz Sud, majority-owned by French utility Gaz de France, have repeatedly urged regulators to raise gas prices by up to 19% to cover losses from soaring import prices.

The gas distributors claim they have losses because of the higher prices. However, Vosganian said that gas distributors Distrigaz Sud and E.ON Gaz reported high profits in 2007.

In its most recent adjustment, the Romanian energy watchdog increased household gas prices by 8.5% Feb. 1, on higher international prices.