Azerbaijan, Baku, Apr. 3/ Trend F.Milad/
More than 152 billion cubic meters of natural gas was consumed by residential and industrial units as well as power plants in Iran during the past calendar year, which ended on March 19, showing 0.9 percent rise compared to the year before, Pana news agency reported.
The gas consumption averaged 417 million cubic meters, despite a 20 percent rise in prices, the report added.
The household sector accounted for 56 percent of the total consumptions. According to the Subsidy Reform Plan, gas consumption bills are prepared according to two different sets of factors for the first seven months of the year and the last five months.
The subsidy reform plan, launched in December 2010, allows the Iranian government to gradually slash subsidies on fuel, electricity, and certain goods over the course of five years, with low-income families being compensated with direct cash handouts.