In the first half 2007, power consumption in Moldova (excluding the Transnistrian region) rose by 2.7 percent compared with the similar period last year, and amounted to 553,3 million kWh. Total purchase of electricity increased by 1.6 percent and added up to 1,866.4 million kWh. According to a report by the National Agency for Energy Regulation, the most significant increase in power consumption – 21.9 percent – was posted by the Rezina-based cement maker Ciment JSC. In the areas serviced by the distribution companies RED Nord-Vest and RED Nord power consumption increased by 10.7% and 5.7%, respectively, and in the zone serviced by the distribution companies belonging to Union Fenosa (RE Chisinau, RED Centru and RED Sud) – by 0.3pp. The report says that the internal production of electricity dropped by 10.3 percent in H1. In this period, the country’s power plants produced 500.7 million kWh, and the volume of electric energy imported from Ukraine reached 1,310.3 million kWh. The share of internal production constituted 27.7 percent, while imports accounted for 72.3 percent.