Romania’s government cashed in additional revenues of 43 billion lei (8.8 billion euros_ from higher energy prices, an energy official said.
The extra revenue came from VAT applied to customers’ higher bills, overtaxation of producers and dividends, the president of the Association of Energy Suppliers in Romania (AFEER), Laurenţiu Urluescu told Agerpres on Tuesday.
Urluescu said the state collected 11 billion lei (about 2.52 billion euros) for the first quarter, which would be at least 43 billion for the whole year, as energy prices increased during the year.
He claimed energy suppliers such as Nuclearelectrica, Romgaz and OMV Petrom were overtaxed.
Romania capped energy prices during the winter months to help households but has still not paid suppliers so the extra revenue will be offset by these costs.
„Suppliers have so far not received any money as compensation for the period after April,” he said, while compensation for November to March when prices were capped was received several months late.
He said the situation for suppliers was difficult as banks see the energy sector as a risk.
„Banks are overexposed to the energy sector. They see energy as as a risk sector and the cost of credit has gone up. Suppliers guarantee with contracts and banks say there is a risk they won’t be able to pay back as the state is in arrears,” he added.
With a difficuolt winter ahead, he called on the government to focus on cutting energy waste.
“It’s important to reduce waste, not comfort but waste. The government should run a campaign on these lines,” he said.
