Diesel Excise Duty OUG Implementation: Why Legislative Tax Cuts Are Already Absorbed by Pump Price Hikes — NRG-IA

Adoption of the Excise OUG and Preemptive Market Reaction The Romanian Government has approved, via Emergency Ordinance (OUG), a temporary reduction in diesel excise duties and the establishment of a solidarity contribution on revenues from the sale of energy products. Although the measure aims to protect consumers, market data indicates a premature cancellation of the expected effects . In the last 48 hours, major distributors, led by market leader Petrom, have implemented successive diesel price hikes, totaling an increase of approximately 20 bani per liter . This increase exceeds or equals the impact of the excise duty reduction scheduled for next week. The Energy Paradox: Negative Prices and Historic Low Consumption While the fuel sector faces inflationary pressures, the national electricity system has reached a critical operating threshold. On Sunday, April 5, 2026, instantaneous consumption dropped to 2,818 MW , an extremely low level, near the historical minimum. This…