Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority has said no new laws or regulations are required to facilitate the expansion of the Beira-Feruka fuel pipeline, as the existing regulatory framework is adequate to accommodate increased capacity.
In an interview with Zimpapers, the authority’s chief executive, Mr Edington Mazambani, said the current laws and regulations would continue to provide the necessary framework for the safe and efficient operation of the expanded pipeline.
“The regulatory framework already in place is adequate to cater for the increased capacity of the pipeline. There is no need for any new laws or regulations,” he said.
The expansion of the Beira-Feruka pipeline is expected to support Zimbabwe’s plans to strengthen its position as a regional logistics and energy hub, with neighbouring countries such as Zambia, Botswana and Malawi identified as potential markets.
Mr Mazambani said additional investment would, however, be required in supporting infrastructure, particularly storage facilities and connecting routes.
“Government, through the National Oil Infrastructure Company (NOIC), may need to invest in additional storage facilities and connection routes to link Zimbabwe’s network with regional countries,” he said.
Mr Mazambani also said ZERA would intensify fuel-quality monitoring as Zimbabwe increases its role in the regional fuel supply chain.
“We will scale up fuel-quality monitoring to ensure fuel coming to Zimbabwe for export markets complies with harmonised regional quality specifications,” he said.
Mr Mazambani said ZERA was working with the Regional Energy Regulators Association of Southern Africa (RERA) to promote the harmonisation of regulatory policies across the region.
On the need to balance investment in energy infrastructure with the interests of consumers, Mr Mazambani said additional investments should provide reasonable returns without unnecessarily increasing costs for consumers.
“As a matter of principle, any additional investments must realise a fair return without unnecessarily burdening consumers of services,” he said.
Mr Mazambani also dismissed concerns that the licensing regime could delay investment in new pumping stations and other infrastructure.
“The current licensing regime is already streamlined and does not present any hurdles to new investments,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Mazambani said ZERA was strengthening its compliance-monitoring capacity through decentralisation.
ZERA is adequately staffing its regional offices in Mutare, Harare, Gweru and Bulawayo, while also acquiring a second mobile fuel-quality testing laboratory.
The additional laboratory is expected to increase the authority’s capacity to test fuel as handling volumes and consumption rise in line with Zimbabwe’s plans to expand its role in regional fuel distribution.
The Beira-Feruka pipeline is Zimbabwe’s main fuel supply route from the Mozambican port of Beira, and its expansion is expected to support increased fuel throughput and the country’s broader ambitions of becoming a regional logistics hub.
