LIQUIFIED Petroleum Gas (LPG) consumption in Zimbabwe was up by 10,36 percent in 2023 to reach 66,1 million kilograms, highlighting the nation’s reliance on alternative energy in the face of worsening power blackouts.
The surge in LPG usage, driven primarily by industrial and residential demand, suggests that power cuts are hindering economic activity.
Peak consumption occurred in August 2023, with usage spiking 73 percent year-on-year to 9,55 million kilograms.
Zimbabwe’s energy regulator (Zera) had underestimated the impact of the power crisis, previously projecting a modest 5 percent annual increase in LPG demand.
The energy shortfall follows a period of relative stability, enabled by the expansion of the Hwange Thermal Power Station.
The government’s push to promote LPG since 2013 has seen a significant uptick in adoption.
However, experts caution that reliance on imports, which require an estimated US$3 million in foreign currency monthly, is unsustainable.
Zera acknowledges challenges posed by unlicensed LPG dealers, underscoring concerns about market safety and efficiency.