The natural gas consumption in Moldova, without the Transnistrian region, in nine months decreased by 2% on average compared with the corresponding period last year, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to a report by the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE), the population used 222 million cubic meters of gas, 3.9% down from last year. The companies operating in the energy sector consumed 281 million cubic meters of gas, a decrease of 4.6%. Consumption at budget-funded institutions and economic entities increased. The budget-funded institutions used 34.4 million cubic meters of gas, while the economic entities – 164.5 million cubic meters of gas. The consumed volumes cost 3.3 billion lei, by 21.3% more than a year before. The rise was due to the higher purchase price of natural gas.