In the first quarter of 2012, Moldova imported 744 million KW/hour of electric energy, by 7.2 per cent more against the similar period of the previous year, according to data put out by the National Agency for Regulation of Energy (ANRE). The power distribution grids are importing electric power from Ukraine and from the Dniester-based Cuciurgan Moldovan Power Station. Staring from 1 April 2012, the import price increased by 13.1 per cent, reaching 6.9 cents per one KW/h. The rise in power imports has been triggered by a 4.8-per-cent increase in the consumption indexes, recorded in January-March and by a 5.8-per-cent decrease in the power acquisitions from local power grids. The electricity produced in Moldova, except the one supplied by the Dniester-based Cuciurgan Moldovan Power Station, covered a third of the overall amount of electric power purchased by the power distribution grids. The power consumption increased all over the country, in particular in the areas served by the power distribution grid RED Nord-Vest, which saw a 5.7-increase and in the regions served by the power distribution grid RED Gaz Natural Fenosa, that recorded a 5.5-per-cent increase. The National Agency for Regulation of Energy has said that the area served by the RED Nord power distribution grid registered an increase of 1.7 per cent. In terms of consumption volume, the power distribution grid RED Gaz Natural Fenosa Moldova, had a share of 73 per cent of the overall quota on the power distribution market. The payments for the consumed electric power accounted for 98.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2012.