Energy contraction set to persist

Eppo: Energy contraction set to persist

Low demand for oil, LPG and electricity

Thai energy consumption in 2020 contracted by 5.8% from lockdown measures imposed to combat the pandemic and demand is expected to remain low with a 0.2-1.9% contraction this year, according to the Energy Policy and Planning Office (Eppo).

Eppo chief Wattanapong Kurovat said on Tuesday consumption of oil, gas and electricity were all in the negative territory last year.

Refined oil consumption contracted by 11.5%, with diesel contracting by 2.6%, gasoline and gasohol contracting by 1.2%, natural gas contracting by 8.2% and jet fuel plummeting by 61%.

Mr Wattanapong said liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for transport, petrochemical business, other industries and cooking gas also contracted by 26.3%, 17.7%, 8% and 4.5%, respectively in…