As a result of the extremely cold weather, the chemical industry only uses gas to keep its pipes warm, with energy generators switching to black oil, which is 50% more expensive than gas. According to officials, “the cost of the cold spell” has not been calculated yet, but they say keeping the industry on a low consumption will continue as long as it is necessary. “On Saturday, because of the low temperatures, the Ministry of the Economy decided to reduce gas consumption in the industry, especially in the chemical industry, and partially switching thermal plants to black oil. Overall gas consumption reached 83 million cubic metres a day due to the frosty weather, while we can supply around 63 million cubic metres through our domestic reserves and through imports. Considering that any rise in imports leads to a rise in the price charged to the population, gas deliveries from the internal production to the industrial segment will be diminished. There are costs involved, but we don’t have estimates,” says Tudor Serban, Secretary of State within the Ministry of the Economy.

Subiecte #chemical industry#gas consumption