Fuel usage fell in February
The Energy Ministry reported yesterday that petrol and diesel consumption in February fell by 13 to 15 per cent from the same month a year ago because of higher fuel prices and the government's energy-saving campaign.
Cherdpong Siriwit, permanent secretary to the Energy Ministry, said that diesel consumption for February was 51.3 million litres a day compared to 60.8 million litres a day in February 2005 - a 15.7-per-cent reduction.Consumption of both fuels in February was also down over the previous month. Cherdpong attributed the cut to a reduction in consumption by the public because of fluctuating oil prices. Government campaigns to encourage the public to save energy and promote the use of alternative energy sources such as gasohol and bio-diesel have also played a role, he said. The department found that an increasing number of drivers have turned to gasohol. The volume of consumption in February totalled 3.2 million litres a day, a jump of 606.9 per cent from only 400,000 litres a day in February last year. The ministry's Energy Business Department said that it this trend continues, it seems possible that all users will turn to the alternative fuel and stop using benzene octane 95 by the end of this year.
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