The National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) has approved a proposal to extend a price subsidy programme for fuel oil mixed with biofuel for another two years, right after an associated intend to gradually decrease subsidies over the past two years has yet to be attained.
The subsidy reduction strategy was drafted plus implemented by the Oil Fuel Fund Workplace (OFFO) in 2020 but the target is not met yet, while the fund ran an enormous deficit, said authorities spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri.
Since July 17, the particular fund recorded a total deficit of 112. 93 billion baht, he said.
In the extended plan, to be implemented next year and 2024, price subsidies regarding gasohol E20 and E85 will progressively decrease until no subsidy is provided at all within a two-year period, he mentioned, adding that the exact same strategy will apply at biodiesel B10 and B20.
However , in case the target still isn’t met at the end of this extended plan and an additional extension is needed, merely a minimal price space between regular essential oil and these types of fuel oil mixed with biofuel crop will be allowed at the minimum rate deemed adequate to incentivise consumers to choose the latter, stated Mr Anucha.
Deputy Leading Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, who is now the acting prime minister, chaired yesterday’s meeting of the NEPC.
He furthermore stressed at the meeting the need for the Ministry of Energy and other events involved in the implementation of the national energy policy to continue raising open public awareness about the importance of energy saving while marketing the use of alternative power.
The government has at the moment already been discussing more significantly about its intention to roll out new measures to encourage and support households and businesses to install solar cell panels on the roof to generate electricity on their own, said Gen Prawit.
This way these households and businesses will be able to cut back greatly on their electricity costs, especially since the electricity costs are being driven upward by the rising prices of energy in the worldwide market, he mentioned.
The power Regulatory Commission (ERC) last month authorized an increase in electricity bills between this 30 days and December, with the power tariff soaring to a record high of 4. 72 baht per kilowatt-hour (unit), up from about 4 baht.