Tepco's gas use projection on record high to offset nuke loss

Tepco bumped up its gas use plans to a fresh record high to make up for lost nuclear output after the destruction of its Fukushima Daiichi plant.

The company is still reeling from the Fukushima disaster and has just two of its 17 reactors operating.   
 
Tepco's projected oil consumption of 8.09 million kilolitres or 139,000 barrels per day for the year ending March 31, is down from its November outlook of 8.44 million kl, but up from 4.75 million kl a year earlier, according to Takashi Fujimoto, a vice president at the utility, reports Reuters.   

The company also projected gas use equivalent to a record 22.67 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas, up from its November outlook of 22.6 million tonnes.   

The company has been trying to secure its fuel requirements for the summer, he said, adding that it may become difficult to fill its needs should its losses deepen.