Demand for liquefied petroleum gas up

Zera chief executive officer Engineer Gloria Magorimbo told New Ziana that continuous load-shedding was among the primary reasons pushing up demand for LPG, commonly referred to as gas.

“Currently the volumes for gas are picking up again on the back of improved capacity utilisation by industry and an increase in domestic use,” she said. “There is great potential for the volumes of gas to pick up further as industry’s capacity utilisation increases and more households turn to gas.”

A decline in the availability and high pricing of alternative energy sources such as firewood was also promoting gas usage.

Zimbabwe is struggling to address a perennial power shortage which has forced power utility Zesa to introduce permanent load shedding as demand at over 2 000 megawatts is almost double current production.

There has also been a proliferation of roadside gas filling operations in Harare, a development which supports the argument that there is an increase in gas demand in the capital.

Eng Magorimbo said in spite of the increase, use of gas at the moment remained low when compared with other alternative energies such as electricity, firewood and coal.

A study by the government on the cost of energy for cooking purposes at household level revealed that gas was the cheapest form of energy.

The study revealed that firewood was the most expensive, costing $180 a month, while gel at 20kg a month cost $39,50 and kerosene at 30 litres a month costs $34,50.

Electricity was set at $23 while gas was the lowest priced at $18 per month.

“This is unlike the misconception held by many consumers who think gas is an expensive form of energy,” Eng Magorimbo said.

In the wake of continued power shortages, Eng Magorimbo said, it was important that gas usage for heating and cooking purposes be encouraged at household level to reduce electricity demand especially during peak hours.

She said Zera was currently working on strategies to promote safe use of gas in households.

“Gas is safe for use if it is handled and used properly,” she said, adding it was critical that users know safety precautions on usage of gas.

Zera, which is responsible for licensing gas importers, has so far issued 13 licences. — New Ziana.