Since 2012, domestic consumption of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Zimbabwe has surged nearly 14-fold.
Annual household consumption has risen from approximately five million kilogrammes to 70 million kilogrammes.
Edington Mazambani, Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA), said this dramatic increase reflects the growing preference for LPG as a cleaner and more efficient fuel for cooking and heating. Said Mazambani (via <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/liquefied-petroleum-gas-use-rises-14-fold/">The Sunday News</a>):
<blockquote>
Consumption of LP gas is improving significantly. When we started the statistics in 2012, we were consuming about five million kilogrammes, now, we are upwards of 70 million kilogrammes per annum.
This year, our consumption is in excess of 70 million kilograms, up from last year when we were just below 70 million kilogrammes.
We have had a deliberate approach to encourage the use of LP gas as a source of energy for heating and cooking.
We started off by training users of LPG on safe use because there was a misconception that gas is dangerous to use.
We had to demystify and encourage people that if you use the gas safely, it can be a good source of energy.
We then went further and encouraged the players through training at commercial and retail levels, focusing on the issue of safety, but at the same time also conscientising both players and consumers that LPG is a better source of energy.
</blockquote>
Although the increased use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has the potential to reduce electricity consumption by up to 60 per cent, Zimbabweans are turning to LPG primarily due to persistent electricity shortages rather than its environmental benefits.
Currently, many Zimbabweans face daily power outages lasting up to 15 hours, leaving them with little choice but to rely on LPG despite its high cost.
The frequent power disruptions during daytime hours have made LPG a necessary alternative for cooking and heating.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

In Zimbabwe, more people are using gas for cooking and heating because it is cleaner and more efficient. The amount of gas used has increased a lot since 2012, from 5 million to 70 million kilogrammes per year. This is because there are often power outages lasting up to 15 hours in Zimbabwe, so people need to use gas instead. The government also trained people on how to use gas safely. While gas is expensive, it is still the best option for many Zimbabweans due to the lack of electricity in the country.

Zimbabwe's Domestic Consumption Of Gas Rises 14-fold

The use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) has increased fiftyfold in the past five years, an official has said.
National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe (NOIC) Board Chairperson, Daniel Mckenzie attributed the exponential rise in LP gas consumption to a deliberate policy thrust to improve supply chains of the commodity. <a href="https://zbcnews.co.zw/2023/07/30/lpg-energy-consumption-increases-50-fold-since-2017/">Said Mckenzie:</a>
<blockquote>
In 2017, the national LPG consumption stood at just 1 million kilograms, but this has increased to 50 million kilograms to date and this is attributable to a deliberate policy thrust to improve supply chains of the commodity including building capacity of infrastructure…
The Parastatal has plans to build more storage facilities in anticipation of further increased demand rises in the upcoming year.
This is in line with our strategic thrust to safeguard the country’s energy supply as the economy is expected to grow.
</blockquote>
Increased LPG usage in Zimbabwe is also attributable to load shedding which has become part of daily life for Zimbabweans.
Due to unscheduled power cuts, most households especially in urban areas have resorted to the use of LPG for cooking and heating.
While diesel and petrol are now readily available at fuel service stations, the products are being sold exclusively in foreign currency.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe's LP Gas Consumption Increased 50-fold Since 2017 - NOIC

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has warned members of the public against using some 48kg cylinders that are being brought into the country illegally and others whose brand identifications have been tampered with.
In a public notice, ZERA also warned LPG wholesalers who fill cylinders that do not belong to them, saying they will be penalised. Reads the notice:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) wishes to advise the public that there are some 48kg cylinders that are being used unsafely and illegally for the distribution of LPG in the country.
This includes 48kg cylinders smuggled from neighboring countries and others whose brand identifications have been tampered with.
Such cylinders are unsafe as no one in the country bears responsibility for their maintenance and safety.
In terms of LPG regulations and for safety reasons, only brand owners of 48kg cylinders or their authorized agents, are entitled to fill and maintain them.
It is a license condition that LPG wholesalers own and refill their own branded 48kg cylinders or obtain permission from brand owners if they need to fill cylinders that do not belong to them.
ZERA will not hesitate to act against wholesalers violating this license condition.
Some of the cylinders shown below have no licensed owners in Zimbabwe and some were smuggled from South Africa and Botswana and are circulating in Zimbabwe without the owners’ consent and support.
<ul>
<li>Reatile Wasaa</li>
<li>Tswana</li>
<li>Easigas</li>
<li>Totalgaz</li>
<li>Mendon</li>
<li>Oryx</li>
<li>Eiendon</li>
<li>ORT</li>
<li>Kasa</li>
<li>Avedia</li>
<li>ELF Gas</li>
<li>BP</li>
</ul>
Owners of the above cylinders are not licensed to operate in Zimbabwe and as such, these cylinders have no maintenance support in the country.
For safety reasons, members of the public and LPG retailers are warned against using such cylinders because their owners cannot be held liable for accidents arising out of unauthorized use of these cylinders in the country.
Consumers are encouraged to approach licensed LPG wholesalers and retailers for good quality gas and safe cylinders.
ZERA is working with fellow regulators to eliminate the menace of smuggled cylinders in the market and urges LPG retailers and consumers to report any LPG wholesaler they find filling or selling smuggled 48kg cylinders.
</blockquote>
LP Gas can be dangerous if not handled properly. Some potential dangers associated with LP gas are fire and explosions, carbon monoxide poisoning, burns, and asphyxiation.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZERA Warns Against Using Unsafe 48kg LP Gas Cylinders

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has announced the Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices for November 2022.
The prices are calculated according to the Petroleum (Liquified Petroleum Gas Pricing) Regulations 90 of 2021.
LP gas now costs US$1.78 per kg and ZWL$1 133.05 per kg. ZERA said in a public notice:
<blockquote>
Operators are advised to display the prices at their retail outlets at a prominent place in clearly legible letters.
Please note that it is permissible to sell LPG at prices below the prescribed prices depending on one’s trading advantages.
</blockquote>
In October 2022, the official LP gas prices as announced by ZERA were as follows: US$1.85 per kg and ZWL$1 161.88 per kg.

ZERA Announces Price Of Liquefied Petroleum Gas For November

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has announced the Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices for October.
The prices are calculated according to the Petroleum (Liquified Petroleum Gas Pricing) Regulations 90 of 2021.
With effect from 08 October 2022, LP gas costs US$1.85 per kg and ZWL$1 161.58 per kg. ZERA said in a public notice:
<blockquote>
Operators are advised to display the prices at their retail outlets at a prominent place in clearly legible letters.
Please note that it is permissible to sell LPG at prices below the prescribed prices depending on one’s trading advantages.
</blockquote>
In September 2022, the official LP gas prices as announced by ZERA were as follows: US$1.88 per kg and ZWL$1 078.09 per kg.

ZERA Reduces Price Of Liquefied Petroleum Gas

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) has been urged to remove duty for the importation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and equipment to ensure a reasonable pricing model on the local market.
The increased calls follow a spike in the price of gas and equipment with some attributing the development to shortages of the commodity on the market.
Some dealers are reportedly selling gas at US$2.60 per kilogramme, up from an average of US$1.50 last year.
In a letter dated 25 January 2021 which was addressed the Zera, stakeholders in the energy sought for a reprieve on duty. Read the letter in part:
<blockquote>In light of current high LPG prices, Zera should with immediate effect regulate the price of LPG as it is under its scope like petrol and diesel and protect consumers.
Zera should liaise with the ministry of Finance to ensure reasonable flat rate or scrapping of duty on LPG equipment like digital scales, pumps, cylinders (domestic and bulk), piping and ancillary connection equipment.</blockquote>
Many households resorted to using gas at the height of the power crisis that saw some areas going without electricity for about 18 hours daily.
Although electricity was cheaper than gas, relying on electricity was not prudent. When the electricity issue was normalised, some continued using gas as authorities constantly raised electricity tariffs.
Moreover, the rainy season always causes electricity issues as wind and heavy rains destroy powerlines.
More: <a href="https://dailynews.co.zw/scrap-duty-on-lpg-equipment/?_ga=2.24725501.612600031.1612007050-102162244.1603291901" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Daily News</a>

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