National Trade Union Bloc urges debate on Neptun Deep gas deal

The National Trade Union Bloc (BNS) has sent an open letter to President Nicușor Dan, requesting a debate within the Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT) regarding Romania’s energy security. The request follows the promulgation of Law 171/2026, which facilitates the acquisition of 49.9 million MWh of natural gas from the Neptun Deep project.

Under this law, the Romanian state will purchase gas from OMV Petrom at a fixed price of 48.752 euros per MWh between 2027 and 2034, exercising a preemption right. BNS warns that this decision could impact the state budget, consumer utility bills, electricity prices, and industrial competitiveness.

The union highlights two potential economic scenarios. In the first, if free market gas prices fall below the legislated rate, the state will be purchasing gas at a premium. In the second, if the additional costs are passed to the economy, gas prices could increase by as much as 113%, potentially leading to a doubling of heating bills for citizens using centralized heating systems.