Thailand’s energy consumption on the rise in line with economic recovery

BANGKOK, January 7 (TNA) - Energy consumption in Thailand in 2016 is expected to further rise by 3 per cent, on top of a 4.2 per cent increase in 2015, in line with the national economic recovery, projected to grow by 3-4 per cent this year. Energy Minister General Anantaporn Karnchanarat told journalists of the update on Thursday, assessing that domestic petrol consumption this year should rise by 9.7 per cent and diesel by 1.8 per cent, while liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) should continue to decline from last year’s by 2.5 per cent. General Anantaporn said the projected energy consumption in Thailand is based on a continual decline in global crude oil prices, with average Dubai crude oil price expected to stand around 35–45 US dollars per barrel this year, from 108 US dollars per barrel in late 2014. In 2015, General Anantaporn pointed out, oil consumption in Thailand rose by approximately 4.2 per cent from 2014 due to the lower global oil prices. The Thai energy minister elaborated that domestic oil consumption increased to 131.6 million litres daily in 2015, up from 126.5 million litres a day in 2014. According to the minister, electricity consumption in Thailand this year is expected to increase by 3.5 per cent from 2014 due to high expectations of the national economic recovery, with domestic power consumption expected to peak in 2016, at 29,000 megawatts. The minister, however, urged the public to save energy consumption in line with the Thai government's policy on the issue. (TNA)