An Energy Expert has observed the need for government and stakeholders to increase sensitization on the use of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) for various domestic uses to help save electricity.
Energy expert under the Increased Access to Electricity and Renewable Energy Production (IAEREP) projects Sam Gouda noted the low consumption of LPG among consumers.
Mr. Gouda observed that despite the advancement in technology LPG is still perceived to be hazardous by many.
“LPG is a very important energy source, it is important for cooking. The use of LPG especially for cooking will help the country save electricity. Government and stakeholders should increase sensitization for its use in both urban and rural areas,” he said.
Mr. Gouda made the remarks during the Copperbelt Provincial Consultations for the National Electricity strategies (NES), Non-Renewable Energy, and Energy Efficiency Strategies in Ndola.
Mr. Gouda has since called on the government to compel gas producing companies to have a uniform cylinder as it would encourage the use of the commodity among consumers.
He noted that the issue of companies’ only allowing consumers to buy gas using company branded cylinders was discouraging the consumption of LPG for cooking.
Mr. Gouda said companies should exchange gas cylinders as it would create convenience among customers and promote usage.
He further said the government should ensure the price of gas is cheaper than that of charcoal especially in rural areas where firewood has depleted to help encourage the use of LPG.
And Ministry of Energy Acting Senior Energy officer Chola Chipampa explained that Zambia has the potential to generate one thousand megawatts of energy from biomass resources such as crops, agriculture, and forest residuals.
He said the challenge has been the lack of finances to package bankable project feasibility studies.
Mr. Chola further explained that Zambia has a power deficit of 810 megawatts due to climate change factors.
Change always brings unknown fears.
LPG is safer and cheaper than electricity. Most households in South Africa and Botswana use LPG.
If LPG is accepted and used widely by the population ,it will help save our forests from the charcoal makers.
For those of us who use LPG, we don’t stress a lot when there is load shedding because we cook and our special fridges use LPG.
LPG is good. Government must drive a campaign for people to switch. Incentives should include lowering cost of gas, standard exchangeable gas cylinders at any outlet, make gas stoves cheap (duty free) and encourage local manufacturing of gas stoves & accessories then create bulk gas distribution including piping gas into homes, etc…
only elite or affluent consumers can afford LPG. The way forward is to encourage low income earner consumers to use biogas and briquettes for energy rather than LPG