admin
Business Reporter
DEMAND for liquid petroleum gas (LPG) has been increasing for the past four years as consumers switch to alternative energy sources owing to the rolling power outages by power utility, the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa).
Despite the inherent fears that were associated with the use of LPG, consumers are conveniently shunning traditional energy sources such as firewood and paraffin.
There has been an unprecedented growth in small-scale retailers of LPG in most rural and urban settlements.
Big retailers of the commodity include Zuva, Boc Gas, Redan and Kenysys Gas.
Suppliers believe that prices will continue falling as supplies improve. “There is huge investment in LPG production throughout the world with it being produced from natural gas sources and crude oil refining. “This means that LPG will be readily available for the foreseeable future and increased supply will result in lower prices.
“Most of the LPG consumed in Zimbabwe comes from the oil refineries in South Africa. Supplies for the business will continue to come from RSA (South Africa) until the opportunity to tap into the international suppliers arises,” read part of the research by a local supplier.Inroads are also being made in rural areas where there were concerns that the demand for power is negatively impacting on the environment as communities resort to firewood.
“The market survey done in the rural areas was received with great enthusiasm as the rural people experienced a clean burning cooking fuel for the first time.
“The women in particular were pleased that it would mean that the burden of collecting firewood on a frequent basis would end.
The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) has however begun to impose stiff penalties on firewood poachers.
Online Reporter