Ministry seeks LPG experts
Aug 31, 2005
The Energy for Rural Transformation (ERT) has called for consultants to determine how best to develop the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) market,
The Energy for Rural Transformation (ERT) has called for consultants to determine how best to develop the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) market, reports Mikaili Sseppuya.
A director in the energy ministry, Watuwa Bwobi, last week said the market for gas had not been adequately exploited.
“There are only four oil companies with the capacity to import, handle and store LPG. I see Kobil, Caltex, Shell and Total gas equipment but not the others which we should also have on board,†Bwobi said.
The director added that there was need for the consultants to carry out a proper study that would determine the real reasons for the lack of more gas on the market.
“I know that lpg requires facilities, including cylinders and storage to be able to import the gas as well as high pressure equipment to compress it to liquid form. Many small companies do not have those facilities thus limiting their capacity to deal in it.
“But we need the study to be able to say definitely that this is what should be done†he said to make possible its widespread use†he said.
The gas could cut down on the current over reliance on biomass, electricity, and paraffin all of which have their own disadvantages for cooking.
The use of wood fuel for cooking leads to environmental degradation by stripping the land of its tree cover, while paraffin also helps destroy the ozone layer and electricity is too expensive for the great majority of the country’s population.
At the same time gas is relatively unknown, and though considered ‘clean’ by environmentalists, is also considered both expensive and ‘dangerous’ by many. ENDS
A director in the energy ministry, Watuwa Bwobi, last week said the market for gas had not been adequately exploited.
“There are only four oil companies with the capacity to import, handle and store LPG. I see Kobil, Caltex, Shell and Total gas equipment but not the others which we should also have on board,†Bwobi said.
The director added that there was need for the consultants to carry out a proper study that would determine the real reasons for the lack of more gas on the market.
“I know that lpg requires facilities, including cylinders and storage to be able to import the gas as well as high pressure equipment to compress it to liquid form. Many small companies do not have those facilities thus limiting their capacity to deal in it.
“But we need the study to be able to say definitely that this is what should be done†he said to make possible its widespread use†he said.
The gas could cut down on the current over reliance on biomass, electricity, and paraffin all of which have their own disadvantages for cooking.
The use of wood fuel for cooking leads to environmental degradation by stripping the land of its tree cover, while paraffin also helps destroy the ozone layer and electricity is too expensive for the great majority of the country’s population.
At the same time gas is relatively unknown, and though considered ‘clean’ by environmentalists, is also considered both expensive and ‘dangerous’ by many. ENDS