Abstract:

Exposing the EU to volatile energy market prices is perceived as the highest risk for the future before the transition to renewable energy brings the desired market stability. Until then, governments must produce viable alternatives, like lowering tax rates and surcharges on energy bills, which sometimes may account for half of the final price. Other alternatives may comprise social schemes to secure not-protected households and small companies, to diminish energy poverty, and to hinder the population from being disconnected from the electricity supply. Governments can also offer direct cash injections, as France has done, to provide urgent support to families striving to pay their bills. But this tool may rapidly exceed the allocated amounts as prices keep increasing, as expected. In this sense, the article presents a set of measures adopted both at the EU level and by some member states to reduce dependence on natural gas imports from Russia and to lower gas (and electricity) bills. Finally, the article extensively examines the measures to reduce the negative effects induced by the increase in gas prices in Romania. The further implementation of this strategy must allow Romania to use its high potential, compared to other European countries, to become energy independent.