Natural gas consumption volumes down by 15-20% - energy minister

Natural gas consumption volumes dropped by 15-20% in 2010, according to Armenian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan.

"Increased prices on gas affect consumption rate. Precise data will be available later this month. But our preliminary data suggest that gas consumption has dropped by 15-20%," he told a news conference Tuesday when summing up the ministry's achievements for 2010.

The minister didn't rule out the possibility that people living in woodlands might give preference to wood as a cheaper fuel.

He added that serious measures are being taken to prevent further increase of gas prices next year.