Central Bank Warning Materializes: Gas Consumption 4% Above Average Drives Electricity Prices to 536 lei/MWh — NRG-IA

Macroeconomic and Energy Context at the End of the Cold Season The 2025-2026 winter season officially ended on March 31 with statistics highlighting a paradigm shift in Romanian consumer behavior. According to data aggregated by Mediafax, national natural gas consumption was 4% higher compared to the three-year average, driven primarily by unusually low temperatures recorded in January. Although a slight decrease is observed when compared strictly to the previous year, the pressure on gas volumes remained a constant of the winter. This high level of domestic demand collides head-on with an extremely volatile international context. The Governor of the National Bank of Romania (BNR), Mugur Isărescu, issued a clear warning regarding the escalation of tensions in the Middle East. According to his statements, these geopolitical tensions have already generated visible effects on energy markets and are amplifying international financial volatility. "External developments are superimposing on…