adminThe country does not produce enough electricity and imports augment our local supplies though in the long term smaller power stations would continue to increase power to the national grid until such a time that we become self-sufficient. In a period where exports are depressed due to decreased production locally, we believe the decision to introduce ethanol to reduce the amount of petrol imports is a good one and should be supported by all in the industry to ensure security of supply and savings through increased consumption of locally produced fuel.
The Government last year introduced mandatory 90 percent petrol blended to 10 percent ethanol.
We understand that the production of ethanol at the Chisumbanje Plant has been going on so well that the country was now sitting on eight million litres of ethanol. However, what is worrying are reports that fuel companies are taking their time to regularise processes that would allow them to start blending petrol with ethanol, a move that would save the country millions of dollars.
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has issued several licences for petrol blending though many more fuel companies are yet to acquire such licences. Greenfuel is one company that has started marketing blend and such fuel is slightly cheaper than the unblended fuel at garages.
Energy and Power Development permanent secretary Mr Justin Mupamhanga said petrol blending that is common in many industrialised countries, was introduced to bring security of supply in the country. He said the blending of 90 percent petrol with 10 percent locally produced ethanol meant that the country would save the equivalent of the 10 percent ethanol in foreign currency apart from being environmentally friendlier.
“Although we are not yet at the E10 levels, we would be contributing significantly to improving our environment,” said Mr Mupamhanga.
Petrol blending is expected to save Zimbabwe $200 000 worth of fuel imports a day with the savings estimated at $72 million yearly.
We believe fuel companies should move with speed to embrace the sale of blend to motorists. After all, blend is not new to Zimbabweans since our vehicles used to run on the fuel just over a decade ago. By having more fuel companies turning to blend, we are assured that new employment opportunities would be created especially against a background of more ethanol plants being planned. We believe fuel companies know the contribution of their product towards pollution and in order to help clean up the environment they should expedite blending since it reduces air pollution while decreasing greenhouse emissions by more than 60 percent.
Online Reporter