Gas imports and consumption fell over 10% in nine months

The natural gas imports in the nine months to September decreased by 10.7% compared with the corresponding period last year, to 734.08 million m3. Consumption fell by 10.6% to 679.07 million m3, reports the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE).

According to the ANRE, consumption at companies operating in the energy sector declined by 8.3% to 292.12 million m3 , while at economic entities working in other areas – by 27.1% to 145.37 million m3. The population consumed 211.19 million m3 of gas, a decrease of 1.4% compared with January-September 2008, while the budget-funded institutions - 30.38 million m3 , an increase of 12.1%.

The energy companies consumed 43% of all the gas used in Moldova, other economic entities – 21.4%, household consumers – 31.1%, while budget-funded institutions – 4.5%. Though the natural gas imports over nine months decreased by 10.7% in terms of volume, they rose by 31.4% in terms of money, to 2.387,35 billion lei. This is due to the rise in the purchase price of the gas supplied by Russia's gas giant Gazprom. The average purchase price in the period rose by 47.2% in Moldovan lei and by 44.7% in US dollars, compared with the first nine months of last year.

The purchase prices of gas in the first three quarters of this year were: US$339.25, US$255.71 and, respectively, US$186.64 per 1,000 m3.

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