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Ivan Zhakata and Joshua Muswere
Zimbabweans consume as much as 5 million litres of fuel daily, underlining the country’s increased economic activities and industrialisation, the director Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy in the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, Dr Sosten Ziuku, has said.
Speaking at the validation workshop for the assessment report on the deployment of decentralised renewable energy solutions in Zimbabwe held in Harare, on Wednesday, Dr Ziuku said the security of the fuel supply chain was vital for economic stabilisation and growth.
In Zimbabwe, National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe administers the pipeline from Mozambique to Zimbabwe and also owns the Government’s storage facilities at Feruka, Mabvuku and other sites. Dr Ziuku said more than 80 percent of the fuel imported into the country now comes through the pipeline.
“Daily local demand for fuel is up to 5 million litres, two million litres of petrol and three million litres of diesel,” he said.
Zimbabwe recently discovered fuel deposits in Muzarabani, and the country could soon be cutting imports because of the find.
“Government adopted the mandatory blending for petrol up to 20 percent since 2011.
“Explorations are being done for oil and gas in the north west part of the country and positive results are anticipated. The country has the potential of being the hub for distribution, and transportation in the region.
“To attain Vision 2030 of an empowered upper-middle-income society, focus is in the implementation of the maintenance and repairing existing infrastructure, completing ongoing projects and attracting Foreign Direct Investment.”
Dr Ziuku said there was also need to upscale private sector investment in the provision of public infrastructure, promote innovation, research and development and increase access to modern energy particularly for rural areas.
“Funding for non-renewable energy technologies like thermal projects are no longer available.”
Online Reporter