New Emergency Ordinance on the Fuel Market: A Solidarity Tax of Up to 9.9% on Domestic Crude Will Subsidize a 36 Bani Drop in Diesel Prices — NRG-IA

What happened: Major fiscal intervention in the fuel market The Ministry of Finance has published a new Emergency Ordinance (OUG) draft for public consultation, introducing significant tax changes in the energy sector. According to the official document, the Government will temporarily reduce the standard diesel excise duty by 0.3 lei/liter . At the pump, factoring in the related VAT, this measure will translate into a price drop of 36 bani per liter for end consumers. To support this budgetary effort, the legislation establishes a solidarity contribution applicable to economic operators extracting or processing crude oil from Romanian territory, such as OMV Petrom. The rate of this tax will range between 1.5% and 9.9% , levied on exceptional revenues in the oil sector. The Government estimates it will collect approximately 0.65 billion lei into this new solidarity fund. Free market dynamics: Aggressive gasoline price cuts In parallel with the state's legislative intervention on the diesel segment, the free market is reacting on the gasoline segment. Recent data shows that Rompetrol implemented a considerable overnight price cut of 32 bani/liter . This move has positioned the group's stations with prices between 63 and 84 bani/liter lower compared to their main competitors, forcing major competitive pressure in the retail market. What's next for consumers and the industry The OUG draft is set to be adopted by the Government, at which point the excise duty reduction will become applicable at the pump. At the same time, players in the refining and extraction industry will have to recalibrate their budgets to accommodate the new solidarity contribution. It remains to be seen whether competing gas station networks will respond to Rompetrol's aggressive pricing policy on the gasoline segment. Acest articol a fost generat cu asistența Aurora AI și verificat editorial.