By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Feb. 3: The consumption of fossil fuel has been declining over the years, resulting in a decrease in the import of petroleum products.

The yearly growth of fuel consumption has stood at 7-8 per cent at present while it was 15-20 per cent a few years ago, said Birendra Goit, spokesperson at Nepal Oil Corporation.

The improved supply of electricity has also led to the slower growth of fuel demand in the country, he said.

The demand for fuel, especially diesel and cooking gas, has decreased compared to other petroleum products, he said.

The country imported petroleum products worth Rs. 89.42 billion in the first six months of the current fiscal year which is Rs. 10 billion less than the corresponding period last fiscal year, according to the statistic of the Department of Customs.

Goit said that that the volume of fuel import had decreased during the review period compared to same period last year also due to reduction in its price in the international market.

The country had imported petroleum products worth Rs. 99.83 billion in the six months of the last fiscal year.

Petroleum products worth Rs. 206.43 billion were imported in the last fiscal year.

During the review period, the country imported petrol worth Rs. 18.27 billion (305,133 KL), diesel worth Rs. 49.14 billion (753,047 KL) and cooking gas worth Rs. 14.87 billion (232,867 tonnes).

Likewise, a total of 99,756 KL aviation fuel worth Rs. 6.35 billion and 12,342 KL kerosene worth Rs. 791 million were imported during the first six months of the current fiscal year.

In the first six months of last fiscal year, a total of 752,369 KL diesel, 205,719 tonnes of cooking gas, 273,458 KL petrol and 98,284 aviation fuel were imported.

The import of diesel has slightly increased in the review period, he said, adding that its import would increase in the coming days as development activities were increasing across the country.

President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries Satish Kumar More said that the consumption of diesel in the industrial sector had been decreasing with the regular supply of electricity by the Nepal Electricity Authority.

“One or two years ago, most of the industries were compelled to use diesel for operating diesel plant to overcome the power outage. But now the industries use electricity in place of diesel plants,” he said.

He said that it was essential to ensure the regular supply of power which would help reduce the import of cooking gas as well.

“A huge amount being spent to import petroleum products, including cooking gas, will be saved if supply of power is ensured and consumers are encouraged to replace cooking gas by electricity stoves,” said More.