Consumption of natural gas decreases in Q1

During the first quarter of 2007, “Moldovagaz” JSC supplied to the consumers of Moldova (excepting the raions in the Transnistrian region) 451.3 mln cubic metres of natural gas, or by 22.2% less against the similar period last year, the National Regulatory Agency in Energy (NRAE) reports. The companies working in the energy field consumed 218.77 mln cubic metres of natural gas or by 16.3% less against the first quarter last year, and the other economic entities – 88.5 mln cubic metres or by 12.8% less. The consumption of natural gas in the budgetary institutions has reduced by 21.5%: from 24.99 mln cubic metres in 2006, to 19.6 mln cubic metres in 2007, and the consumption of the population – by 35.3%: from 191.96 to 124.3 mln cubic metres. The experts of the Agency explain these results by the mild winter, which diminished the demand for natural gas from the domestic consumers and economic entities, which have autonomous heating systems, as well as from the thermal power plants which did not use their capacity to the full. The reduction of the consumption was caused by the high prices which determined the consumers to use them more rationally. In the structure of the consumption, the highest share, of 48.5% is due to the companies working in the energy sector. The share of other economic entities constituted 19.6%, of domestic consumers – 27.5%, and the share of the budgetary institutions – 4.3%. As from January 1, 2007, Moldova purchases natural gas from the Russian Concern “Gazprom” at the price of USD 170, compared to USD 110 – in the first quarter of 2006.