By Jane Chanda
Energy expert Johnstone Chikwanda says making liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sales mandatory at all filling stations will tackle Zambia’s energy crisis.
He said that this move would increase accessibility and affordability, essential for households and businesses seeking alternative energy sources amidst extended load-shedding.
In an interview with Daily Revelation yesterday, Chikwanda said that Zambia needed alternative energy sources, citing the growing shift towards LPG for cooking, heating, and small-scale electricity generation. He said that while LPG adoption is rising, accessibility remains a challenge, particularly outside urban areas.
According to Chikwanda, he believed mandatory LPG sales at filling stations would overcome this hurdle, driving competition and reducing costs. He said that with increased availability, Zambia was likely to see more competitive pricing, making LPG an attractive option for more households.
Chikwanda also hailed LPG’s environmental benefits, saying its potential to reduce deforestation by replacing traditional fuels like charcoal. He said the policy would promote sustainable energy practices while addressing Zambia’s energy shortfall.
The energy expert said safety and awareness campaigns were crucial to support this policy. He also said that, educating people on proper LPG usage and storage would ensure its safe integration into Zambia’s energy landscape.
He said many Zambians are eager to switch to LPG but were deterred by its limited availability.
“With increased competition and economies of scale, we are likely to see LPG prices become more competitive,” he said. “This would make it an affordable choice for more households.”
He urged Zambia to capitalise on the energy crisis by prioritising conversations on on LPG.
“LPG is a safe fuel when handled correctly,” said Chikwanda, “but we need to educate people on proper usage and storage.”
