The energy regulator has published the maximum prices for gas cylinders in February, which are marginally lower than last month’s.

A 12kg cylinder cannot sell for more than €17.10 this month, a decrease of 20c when compared to January, according to the list published by the Malta Resources Authority.

Similarly, the maximum price for a 10kg cylinder has gone down to €14.40 from €14.60.

The regulator sets the maximum price gas suppliers can charge customers. However, last month, the two suppliers of household LPG gas cylinders – Liquigas and Easygas – charged prices below the maximum allowed by the MRA. Liquigas charged €16 for a 12kg cylinder, the most popular household type.

The regulator kept the deposit on new cylinders at €25 even though it has proposed this be brought down to €5 in a consultation document about the workings of a liberalised gas market. The document, entitled Proper Functioning Of The LPG Market, outlines three areas in which the authority believes it should intervene to allow the market to function properly.

The authority is proposing setting a maximum deposit of €5 on empty cylinders of all sizes to “allow the consumers to switch suppliers in a seamless manner”. The deposit will only be refundable if consumers show a receipt, a matter debated by consumers who argued they were either never given a receipt or had lost it over the years.

The consultation document comes in the middle of a multifaceted controversy over who should be able to sell gas at community level after 31 gas distributors saw their exclusive retailing licence awarded in 1992 by Enemalta subverted by the authority’s decision to award a retail licence to the two companies.

The regulator is proposing a legal obligation on wholesalers and licensed distributors to exchange cylinders and the identification of the wholesaler as the legitimate owner of the cylinder. The consultation process remains open until Monday and the MRA is asking for feedback to be sent to enquiry@mra.org.mt.