Romania’s gas imports increased by 629% last year compared to 2015, reaching 1.185 million tons of oil equivalent (toe), according to data published on Friday by the National Statistics Institute (INS).

The domestic gas production dropped by 12% in 2016 over the previous year, reaching 7.4 million toe.

In November, Niculae Havrilet, president of the National Authority for Energy Regulation (ANRE), said that imports could reach 40% of the national gas consumption this winter as the price of gas on international markets was up to RON 20 (EUR 4.4) per MWh lower than the price of domestic gas, which is regulated by the state.

The gas price for households has been frozen at RON 60 (EUR 13.3) per MWh until April 1, 2017, when the market will be liberalized.

editor@romania-insider.com