The prime minister made this statement during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, noting that, unfortunately, in the second half of July, gas prices on international exchanges rose significantly, and after a temporary drop to approximately 52 euros per megawatt-hour, projected prices for the fourth quarter have once again reached 64 euros/MWh. Vasile Tofan noted that the authorities cannot influence gas purchase prices, but there is room to reduce transportation, distribution, and administrative costs included in the gas tariff. The Prime Minister emphasized that these costs can be controlled and efforts should be made to reduce them. He also said that the government intends to partially offset the increase in gas rates for the most vulnerable groups of the population in order to mitigate the impact of rising prices on these consumers. As previously reported, the National Energy Regulatory Agency intends to raise the gas rate for residential consumers by 40.7%—from 13.35 to 18.79 lei per cubic meter, excluding VAT (14.42 to 20.29 lei including 8% VAT). The new gas rates are scheduled to be approved at an ANRE meeting on August 21. // 19.08.2026 — InfoMarket