Sunday Mail Reporter
Consumption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) shot up by over 19 million kilogrammes in the three years to December 2021, data from the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) shows.
Last year, Zimbabweans used over 56 million kg of LPG, with consumption averaging 5 million kg a month.
Consumption peaked in November, reaching over 6,3 million kg compared to 3,3 million kg consumed in May when usage reached its lowest level last year.
In 2016, average monthly consumption stood at around 1 million kg, significantly lower than the current average consumption rates.
Statistics from Zera show that while Zimbabweans used 37,1 million kg of LPG in 2019, usage rose marginally to 38,9 million kg the following year, before reaching 56,7 million kg last year.
Experts say the rapid increase in the use of LPG last year reflects a growing appetite for cleaner and cheaper energy among local consumers.
Zera chief executive Mr Edington Mazambani told The Sunday Mail that price movements on the market last year reflected movements on the international market.
LPG is retailing at US$2,05 or $222,32 per kg in local currency.
“The price of LPG is calculated according to the Petroleum (Liquid Petroleum Gas Pricing) Regulations 90 of 2021. The adjustments are affected by global trends,” he said.
“Availability of LPG is affected by the source market, which for Zimbabwe is mainly South Africa.”
The product is widely used by consumers for domestic, industrial and commercial purposes.
Experts believe that Zimbabwe can save in excess of 100 megawatts of electricity if the majority of consumers switch to gas for cooking and heating.