The Venezuelan government plans to increase its fuel consumption by a third in 2010 to fuel thermoelectric plants with which President Hugo Chávez hopes to overcome energy crisis.

Officials expect a total consumption of 104 million barrels in 2010, about 285,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (bpd) of fuel oil, diesel and gas, which will be used to increase thermoelectric capacity by 4,000 megawatts (Mw).

The projected figures for the year do not specify which part corresponds to liquid fuels and which part to gas, Reuters reported.

Electricity Minister Alí Rodríguez acknowledged some days ago that the ability to increase domestic supply of gas, which is mostly associated with oil extraction, will remain limited in the future.