Bogdan Ivan calls for fuel-sector crisis declaration: “Romania no longer needs improvisation”

Romanian industry is facing what companies describe as its most difficult period in three decades, according to PSD lawmaker and former Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan. After visiting cable, radiator and battery factories in Bistrița, Ivan said both owners and workers reported mounting pressure from energy and fuel costs.

“Companies have started refueling their trucks in Hungary because diesel is cheaper there than in Romania,” Ivan said in a video message posted on Facebook. He argued that the state needs a coherent plan and rapid intervention to address the problems.

His first proposal is to declare a crisis in the fuel sector. Ivan said such a measure should allow the authorities to limit further increases in pump prices. His second proposal focuses on securing Romania’s natural gas supplies. He said the country was entering the cold season with its lowest gas-storage level in a decade while also facing the highest prices.

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Companies have started refueling their trucks in Hungary because diesel is cheaper there than in Romania.

The third measure would provide Romanian companies with competitive electricity prices so they can maintain production and jobs and compete on European markets. “You cannot ask industry to produce, invest, preserve jobs and compete on the European market while leaving it to bear some of the highest energy costs,” Ivan said.

Ivan also referred to the household gas price-cap scheme introduced last year while he served as energy minister. The Energy Ministry disputed his warnings of an “energy collapse,” saying industry would not be disconnected.

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You cannot ask industry to produce, invest, preserve jobs and compete on the European market while leaving it to bear some of the highest energy costs.