Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority

The Energy Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe has expressed concern over the influx of contraband and illegal liquefied petroleum (LP) cylinders that have flooded the local market, increasing the risk of accidental explosions.

Zera said it seized 300 cylinders in Harare alone, Zera Petroleum Infrastructure Engineer Andrew Guri told journalists during a media engagement workshop held in Bulawayo yesterday.

Guri said that despite LP gas being recommended as the cleanest form of energy, it poses serious threats if mishandled.

“The major challenge is on contraband cylinders. These are cylinders from Botswana and South Africa that have found their way into our market,” he said.

“Smuggled, like I said earlier. These are used by illegal LPG filling equipment and they get them from general dealers. They bring these cylinders because they get discounts on their purchase.

“However, they do not meet the standards required in the country as they have no associated maintenance support.

“We recently awarded a contract to an engineering firm in Harare to destroy 300 cylinders recovered from illegal fillings. We want to intensify this operation so that we destroy the appetite for smuggled bottles.”

In 2023, 11 accidents related to LPG gas were recorded in the country.

On Tuesday, social media was abuzz with videos of an LP gas explosion that occurred in Mabelreign.

Last year, Zera issued a ban on door-to-door deliveries of LPG, saying it was unsafe.

Guri said Zera expects LPG gas usage to reach 17 million kilograms this year due to power outages in the country.

“There is no other country where people have become so comfortable with LPG than Zimbabwe. Our LPG consumption has increased from less than 1 kg per person per year before 2012. To date, it is nearly 4.5 kg per person per year,” he said.

“We predict it will reach 17 million kg this year, if not more. Now it has become a challenge because of this familiarity with LPG, which you now see on street corners, resulting in the problems we are facing, especially accidents.”

Zimbabweans suffer the punishment of power blackouts lasting more than 12 hours a day due to reduced power generation capacity.

As of yesterday, the country was generating 1 202 megawatts divided into 1 034 MW (Hwange), 124 MW (Kariba) and 44 MW from independent power producers.

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