OREANDA-NEWS. August 12, 2010. In January-June 2010 Moldova increased the volume of natural gas consumption by 8,4% - up to 619,7 million cubic meters, as compared to the same period of 2009. As it was informed in the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE), in January-June 2010 the consumption of natural gas increased in the country for the first time over the last 4 years, during which this index fell invariably.

The tendency of growth of natural gas consumption is typical for all categories of consumers. Thus, in January-June 2010 population increased the consumption of gas by 10,4% - up to 203,93 million cubic meters, economic agents and enterprises of energy market – by 5,8% and 8,2%, respectively, up to 114,42 million cubic meters and 269,63 million cubic meters of gas, respectively.

The budgetary institutions of Moldova consumed in January-June 2010 about 31,71 million cubic meters of gas or by 6,5% more than in the same period of 2009. Over the given period the largest share in the structure of consumed gas – 43,5% - fell to the enterprises of energy market. The share of household consumers made up 32,9%, economic agents – 18,5% and budgetary institutions – 5,1%.

According to the ANRE, in January-June 2010 the actual price for natural gas, purchased by SC Moldovagaz from OJSC Gazprom accounted for 2977 leis per 1 thousand cubic meters. In the last actualization of rates for natural gas, delivered to final consumers, carried out by the ANRE on May 14, 2010, the average purchasing price for natural gas of 2961 leis per 1 thousand cubic meters (by 0,5% lower than the actual price) was included in the rate.