Russia's energy consumption has risen 2.2% since beginning of March, expected to reach 1.9% by year-end, excluding temperature - Grabchak

MOSCOW. March 22 (Interfax) - Russia's energy consumption has risen 2.2% since the beginning of March despite a number of production facilities having been suspended this month.

"Good," Deputy Energy Minister Yevgeny Grabchak answered when journalists asked about the current consumption dynamics amid a number of production facilities having been suspended in March. "[There has been growth in consumption of] 2.2% since the beginning of the month, and this figure is given in temperature terms," he said. When accounting for the temperature factor, with March being colder this year than last year, then the increase has been 2.4%.

"For the year, 1.9% without [taking into account] the temperature [factor], and 3.6% when accounting for the temperature," Grabchak said when asked about consumption forecasts for 2022.

When talking about the southern energy system, Grabchak said that the ministry expected to exceed forecasts, taking into account the tourist season. "In general, we are optimistic," he concluded. Grabchak said that some volatility is expected now, but the ministry anticipates that it should end soon.

Regarding industries, Grabchak noted that the oil and gas, woodworking, and petrochemicals sectors, respectively, have not reduced consumption. The most complicated situation is in the automotive industry [where a number of manufacturers have introduced downtime since the start of the military operation], though this negative is "has been offset" by other industries. "Aluminum has grown well," he noted.