Azerbaijan , Baku, March 28 /Trend, A.Yusifzade /
Iran 's natural gas consumption increased by 11 billion cubic meters or 6.5 percent to 175 billion cubic meters over the last Iranian calendar year (March 21, 2010-March 20, 2011) compared to the previous year, setting a new record, Pana reported.
Iran has consumed about 166 billion cubic meters of gas through domestic production and 9 billion cubic meters from import during the last Iranian year.
Natural gas consumption in Iran by residential customers and commercial sector reached 80 billion cubic meters, power plants - 45 billion cubic meters and industrial sectors - 27 billion cubic meters during the reported period.
According to the report, Iran has exported about nine billion cubic meters of natural gas last year representing increase by about 25 percent compared to the previous year.
According to the dispatching director of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC), Hassan Montazer Torbati, Iran has exported over 6.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas from March 21, 2009 to March 20, 2010.
The increase in gas exports comes during peak domestic consumption in cold winter months.
Officials have previously said Iran consumes around 500 million cubic meters gas per day during peak times of the year. The National Iranian Gas Company's managing director, Javad Oji, urged Iranians to save energy, adding that about 30 percent of the gas consumed in households was being wasted, Mehr reported.
Iran has the world's second-largest natural gas reserves after Russia, but the U.S. and UN sanctions deterring investment by western firms with expertise and technology have slowed its development as a major exporter. Energy officials have said gas production in Iran totals 600 million cubic meters a day.