According to data Today’s Zaman obtained from Energy and Natural Resources Ministry officials, daily natural gas consumption, which had declined to around 120 million cubic meters due to recent gas price hikes, increased by some 17 percent, to around 140 million cubic meters, in the last few days, approaching last year’s figures. Officials predict consumption will continue to increase for some time to come.
On the other hand, the state-owned Turkish Pipeline Corporation’s (BOTAŞ) annual sales declined for the first time in its history over the previous year. The company sold 32.16 billion cubic meters of natural gas last year, while this figure was 36.02 billion in 2008, representing an 11 percent drop.
Meanwhile, sales of combination natural gas boilers and natural gas stoves rose in recent days due to cold weather and heavy snow, the Anatolia news agency reported on Wednesday.
People who were using heating devices other than combination boilers because they had encountered no serious problems related to heating since the first week of January had to shift to combination boilers again as expenses rose incrementally due to the cold weather.
The combination natural gas boiler sector, valued at some 300 million euros, has seen rejuvenated sales since the weekend, according to the report. Prices of standard combination boilers range between TL 1,000 and 1,500. Partial condensing combination boilers can be found with prices between TL 1,500 and TL 1,000, while condensing combination boilers are offered with prices between TL 2,000 and TL 2,500.
