New wave slows down use of fuel as more people staying in
The new wave of Covid-19 infections is expected to reduce the usage of fuel in 2021 by between 1.9 and 2.9 per cent due to a contraction in transport and tourism industries, said Wattanapong Kurowat, director-general of the Energy Ministry’s Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO).
“Total energy usage in 2021 is expected to rise slightly by 0.2 to 1.9 per cent from all types of energy except petrol,” he said. “The usage of natural gas should rise by 0.1-4.1 per cent, coal/lignite by 0.1-0.4 per cent, while the use of renewable energy will jump the highest, by 5 per cent, thanks to the government’s renewable energy promotion campaigns.”
EPPO estimates that airplane fuel will see the biggest drop at 45.8 to 51.5 per cent due to air travel restrictions during the outbreak, while the use of diesel will rise by 0.8-1.3 per cent and benzene/gasohol by 0.3 to 0.8 per cent.
The total usage of LPG, propane and butane in 2021 is expected to drop by 1 to 5.5 per cent. Use of cooking gas will see an increase of 1.1-2.5 per cent, industrial usage up by 1.2-3.6 per cent, though the use of gas for vehicles will contract by 12.2 to 15.8 per cent.
“The total use of electricity in 2021 is estimated at approximately 191 billion units, up 2 per cent year on year following the government’s economic stimulus campaigns,” Wattanapong said.
“However, we still need to keep a close eye on the Covid-19 situation, as well as other factors that could affect energy usage such as global crude oil prices and Covid-19 outbreaks in other countries,” he added.