Firm commissions new gas plant

Business Reporter

Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) concern Kensys Gas recently commissioned a plant in Shurugwi (Midlands province) as reliance on cleaner renewable sources of energy continues to grow.

The company’s general manager, Mr Bvumai Muswe, said the new plant, which has a storage capacity of 4,6 tonnes, would be serving more than 10 rural and urban centres.

“We opened on February 3 and the uptake has been overwhelming, an indication that both rural and urban households are embracing cleaner energy,” said Mr Muswe.

“Our average, weekly sales are around two tonnes and this shows how the Shurugwi community has embraced liquid petroleum gas. We foresee the uptake even growing further.”

Over the past few years, Kensys Gas has invested in state-of-the-art static storage tanks that range from 2,5 tonnes to 56 tonnes to ensure reliability of supplies.

In 2017, the company commissioned a 40-tonne plant in Chiredzi, which mainly benefits workers at Hippo Valley Estates.

The company has also formed strategic tie-ups with both retailers and wholesalers to make their product readily accessible.

LPG is used by nearly three billion people around the world.

Its local use would naturally provide health and environmental benefits.

Over the past few years, the country has experienced an exponential rise in consumption of LPG as households opt for relatively cheaper, reliable and cleaner sources of energy.

Regulator, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera), has been rolling out awareness campaigns on the safe use of LPG at both retail and household level, and this has also helped to increase uptake.

Kensys believes that it is possible to expand the use of LPG on the local market.

“Several low- and middle-income countries have shown, and more are showing, that it is possible at scale (to expand the use of LPG), and this experience can serve as an example for other countries seeking to extend access and use of liquid petroleum gas,” the company said.