An Analysis of the Liberalization Process of Gas Market for Household Consumers in Romania

Abstract

In this paper, the authors are making an analysis of the liberalization process of the Gas Market for the household consumers in Romania, based on the data collected from the natural gas suppliers as well as from the Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority in the field Energy (ANRE). The authors are analyzing the pre- and post-liberalization situation for household consumers, illustrated in terms of some basic indicators, namely the number of household customers from the regulated and competitive supply segment, the number of suppliers with domestic gas customers, the shares held by suppliers with domestic gas customers, as well as the number of present suppliers with natural gas offers. There were also identified clauses that lead to cost increase for the customer in case of change of supplier. The conclusions underline the fact that the process of liberalizing the supply of natural gas to the household has not had a significant impact on final customers, but it is rather a combination of other factors, such as: the low prices during the hot season may not induce a particular appetite for switching the current supplier, the natural gas offers made at the beginning of the liberalization process may not have been attractive enough to determine the change of the current natural gas supplier, and the low level of information provided by the gas suppliers. Our recommendations are that the suppliers should provide unique terms and conditions for their customers, and to present their offers in a clear, transparent, and concise manner.