The natural gas imports into Moldova in the first quarter of this year increased by 11.9% compared with the corresponding period last year, to 544.2 million cubic meters. Gas consumption rose by 11.8% to 507.4 million cubic meters, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a communique from the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE). The population's consumption grew by 12.2% to 163.8 million cubic meters, while the consumption at economic entities and companies from the energy sector increased by 12% and, respectively, 11.7%, to 83.9 million and 229.4 million cubic meters. The budgetary institutions consumed 30.3 million cubic meters of gas, up 9.4% compared with the first three months of 2009. As in the previous years, the energy companies consumed the largest volume of gas – 45.2%. The household consumers accounted for 32.3% of the total volume consumed, the economic entities for 16.5%, while the budgetary institutions for 6%. The purchase price of the natural gas in the first quarter of 2010 was US$231.71 per 1 000 cubic meters, while in the second quarter - US$252 per 1 000 cubic meters.