Slovakia expects stable gas consumption over the next three to five years, according to an annual report on gas supplies security published by the Slovak Economy Ministry on Monday.

The ministry predicted Slovakia's annual gas consumption will reach a level of 4.8 billion cubic meters in 2016-17 and 4.7 billion cubic meters in 2018-19. Gas consumption reached 4.8 billion cubic meters in 2015.

"Many firms have been issued with certificates for constructing energy facilities, and many other companies have presented their plans to introduce new sources of electricity and heat produced from gas," the press department of the Economy Ministry said.

The implementation of these plans is solely up to individual companies, with many factors such as market price of electricity and gas playing a decisive role, it added.

Other factors impacting gas consumption are average annual temperatures and various measures related to energy efficiency. For households, gas prices and accessibility of alternative fuels also have an influence on gas consumption, the report said.

"A positive role concerning prices might be played by the competitiveness of individual gas suppliers on the market," the statement added.

More than 90 percent of villages in Slovakia are connected to a gas distribution system.

Source : XINHUA