The National Energy Regulatory Agency ANRE is supposed to come up with a new fuel pricing methodology until March 1. Under the new rules, ANRE’s previous practice of capping retail prices every two weeks would be ditched and sellers would be free, within the limits of a cost calculation formula, to set their own prices with a markup not exceeding 10%.

ANRE spokesperson Galina Sanduța told IPN the methodology has been put up for public consultations and the date of the public forum would be announced soon. The methodology will take effect after being published in the Official Gazette.

Energy expert Sergiu Tofilat stated earlier that the new rules would in fact mark a return to an old methodology, indicating an agreement with the fuel sellers. In Tofilat’s opinion, the consumers’ interest would be best served through the creation of a competitive market overseen by an effective competition watchdog, seconded by an independent judiciary. As for the March 1 deadline, Sergiu Tofilat said it might be related to the legislative elections, with fuel sellers allowed freedom of price-fixing not until then.