Gas consumption in Russia could grow 2.5% per year by 2017 - Gazprom
MOSCOW. June 15 (Interfax) - Gazprom forecasts gas consumption in Russia will grow 2.5% annually in the period 2011-2017, the press office of Gazprom Mezhregiongaz told Interfax.
"Taking into consideration the introduction of new generating capacity which is being built in the framework of capacity supply contracts, and the implementation of annual gasification programs for the Russia regions, annual consumption growth of more than 2.5% is being forecast for natural gas in the domestic market," the company said.
Alexander Marinichev, the deputy general director of Gazprom Mezhregiongaz, told reporters on June 15 that consumption growth resulting from gasification was slowing by the year because the more densely populated regions were gasified first, and now less densely populated regions are being linked up to supplies.
Russia consumed 473 billion cubic meters of gas in 2011.