More Russian gas consumed
Gas consumption in Russia is almost back on 2008 level, figures from the Russian gas distribution authority show. However, it is Russians’ private consumption which is up. Industrial demands remain well below 2008 levels.
Since late last year, gas consumption in Russia has shrunk significantly starting with a 15 percent drop in November and then 10 percent in December, eight percent in January and 3,7 percent in February, newspaper Vedomosti reports. In March however the trend turned with gas consumption reaching 2008 levels. A total of 35,512 billion cubic meters of gas was consumed, which is only 0,8 percent less than in the same period in 2008. The reason for the increasing consumption is however not restored industrial production. The higher consumption is linked with this year’s colder weather and subsequent need for more heating in peoples’ houses, Vedomosti writes.
