Bangchak Petroleum Plc is spending 2 billion baht over the next two years on marketing and retailing, mainly for its biofuels gasohol, E20 and E85.
Bangchak president Anusorn Sangnimnuan said the majority state-owned refiner and retailer plans to double E20 pumps to 600 by the end of this year and increase E85 pumps to 50 from 12.
“Ethanol-based petrol demand grows by double digits every month, so we have to latch on to this trend to help our sales,” said Dr Anusorn.
It also plans to spend 75 million baht on a facelift for its service stations to make them greener. Each will have a biofuel demonstration site with plantation areas for cassava, sugarcane, jatropha and algae. Solar panel trees and energy-saving electrical appliances will also be installed.
The company opened its first green pump station yesterday at Vibhavadi Road close to the headquarters of the Thai Public Broadcasting Service.
“We plan to have another two or three green fuel pumps this year to cope with a sales surge in this segment,” said Dr Anusorn.
The sales volume for green pumps averages 900,000 litres per month, nearly double that of pumps in inner Bangkok at 500,000 litres per month.
Dr Anusorn said the Ministry of Energy plans to launch a campaign on alternative fuel by mid-year.
Earlier, Bangchak said it planned to spend a combined 7.3 billion baht this year to upgrade refineries and pursue alternative energy sources. Some 4.5 billion will go to solar power, biodiesel and palm oil plantations, with 800 million for refinery upgrades and 2 billion baht in general investment.
Bangchak added it plans to invest 8 billion baht over the next eight years to upgrade its refining facilities.
