What it means as LPG use soars 13-fold in ten years

Dar es Salaam. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports increased nearly 13-fold in the last decade, Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) data shows.

According to a presentation made by the regulator at a recent energy forum, 250,200 tonnes of LPG were imported last year compared to 18,170 tonnes that were brought into the country in 2010, with the coastal zone accounting for 50 percent of consumption.

The trend demonstrates progress in efforts to ensure that at least 80 percent of Tanzanians will have adopted clean cooking by 2032.

Ewura petroleum commercial manager Kemilembe Kafanabo said, however, that despite the increase in LPG imports, illegal filling, lack of knowledge among key stakeholders, as well as inadequate storage capacity needed to be addressed.

“We will thus continue to regulate and oversee LPG operations in the country to build consumer confidence as far as safety and quality matters are concerned,” she said.

Ms Kafanabo added that the perceived high cost of LPG, especially in areas where alternative energy sources were relatively cheaper, was another challenge Ewura was addressing.

She was presenting a paper titled Ensuring Safety, Quality and Affordability of LPG through Effective Policies and Regulations in Tanzania at last week’s East Africa LPG Expo in DAr es Salaam. The event brought together various stakeholders in the sub-sector.

Commenting on the increase in imports, Energy permanent secretary Felchesmi Mramba ministry told The Citizen yesterday that charcoal use still outstripped LPG consumption by far, adding that plans were underway further promote the switch to the cleaner energy source.

He added that domestic distribution was also not keeping pace with increased imports.

“However, we expect LPG consumption to rise sharply once a number of major public institutions start using clean energy for cooking and most of them are likely to switch to LPG.”

Mr Mramba said gas consumption was increasing slowly due to a number of factors, including the lack of large storage facilities, but added that the government and other stakeholders were working to address this shortcoming.

Increased use of LPG also translates into less deforestation and reduced effects of charcoal and firewood smoke on human health.

Ewura communications and public relations manager Titus Kaguo told The Citizen yesterday that the regulator was implementing the government policy that seeks to promote clean cooking, adding that increased LPG imports were a positive sign that concerted efforts being made to this end were bearing fruit.

“We thank our President, Her Excellency Samia Suhulu Hassan, and the Minister of Energy, Mr January Makamba, for being at the forefront of encouraging LPG use. We will continue to advocate the use of LPG so that more people switch from of charcoal and to clean energy for cooking,” he said.

There are currently 73 licensed distributors, at least eight million cylinders in circulation and 34 refilling facilities in Tanzania, where the combined LPG storage capacity is 2,055 tonnes.

For his part, Tanzania LPG Association director Amos Jackson said consumption of cooking gas was increasing by between 10 and 15 percent annually.

This is also an indication of economic growth, he added.

“We are very grateful to the government for continuing to put in place favourable policies, including tax adjustments. This has helped a lot to make LPG affordable. We need to redouble our efforts to educate Tanzanians on the importance of conserving the environment and their health by switching from charcoal and firewood to gas,” Mr Jackson said.