KIEV, June 7 – The construction of power plants consuming renewable energy sources has allowed a considerable cut in natural gas consumption in Crimea, the Crimean Council of Ministers said.

"In 2012, solar and wind power plants generated 350 million kilowatt-hours of electricity in Crimea. This allowed a reduction in natural gas consumption of 80 million cubic meters," said Serhiy Kolobov, the chairman of the republican committee for fuel, energy and innovation policy.