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Published by the government of Zimbabwe

Tichaona Zindoga and Roselyne Sachiti

Harare — "ZESA Holdings wishes to advise all its valued customers countrywide that the Zimbabwe Power Company will be conducting its mandatory annual maintenance at Kariba Power Station from 16 April to 21st May, 2010 . . .

"Zesa Holdings urges all its valued consumers countrywide to use the available electricity sparingly during the maintenance period."

However, well meaning in intent, such a statement always brings a cold shudder in consumers who on top of the now regular power-cuts, know for a fact that there will be over a month of a dark hell of inconvenience.

For both domestic and commercial users, it is a call for alternative energy, or having to pray for the quick conclusion of whatever under- takings by the power utility as there would be no other reliable alternative.

Liquefied petroleum gas could well serve the purpose, especially for households.

"The gas can be the best alternative for cooking.

"The initial cost (purchasing a stove and tank) is on the high side but the running cost (refilling the tank) is not expensive compared to using electricity if properly priced," says Chipo Shonhiwa, Renewable Energy Research Scientist at the Energy Technology Institute of the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre.

She says that at the moment very few people (usually the rich) in Zimbabwe are using LPG.

Most of these people are connected to the national electricity grid and only use the gas during load shedding.

But the problem also lies in many people's lack of knowledge on the subject.

Many people might be forgiven for thinking that LPG is synonymous with danger, meaning that consumers could well stagnate with power woes.

"There is generally lack of knowledge among people and this belief that LPG is dangerous, which requires people to be educated," says Anna Mguni, general manager at a city firm that supplies and manufactures gas equipment and products.

She said compared to other countries in the region and abroad, Zimbabwe lagged behind in the use of LPG, which, but for some of its disadvantages, has a number of positives.

LPG, a by-product of crude oil, is mainly a mixture of propane and butane.

As it evaporates at room temperatures and pressures, it is supplied in pressurised steel bottles and cylinders.

In its natural state, LPG is odourless but odorants such as ethanethiol, thiophene or amyl mercaptan are also added so that leaks could be detected easily.

"This is a positive safety feature on LPG as once the odour is detected it becomes essential to increase ventilation by opening air inlets such as doors and windows before using the appliance."

She explained: "LPG is energy efficient, with one kilogram of gas having a calorific value of about 49 000 kilojoules which is equivalent to 13KW of electricity."

Currently, a kilogram of gas, which is supplied into the country by a number of big companies, sells for $2, 20.

Appliances such as cookers have an average consumption of 180g/hour for a single plate, 280g/hour for a double plate with a commercial-type four-burner and oven consumption is approximately 700g per hour.

"Gas has the added advantage of storage, meaning that, unlike electricity, you are able to hold stocks that will cover your operations for a period determined by average daily, weekly or monthly usage," Mguni says.

Some of the advantages cited in the use of LPG include its being a portable and renewable source of energy.

"LPG contains less carbon hence produces much less carbon dioxide than the sources currently used in Zimbabwe (wood and coal)

"It saves electricity and less coal will be burnt for producing electricity. This helps in reducing greenhouse gas emissions," Shonhiwa said.

LPG is said to emit 19 percent less carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour than oil, 30 percent less than coal and more than 50 percent less than coal-generated electricity distributed via the grid.

According to wikipedia, being a mix of propane and butane, LPG emits less carbon per joule than butane but more carbon per joule than propane.

Accordingly, governments and environmentalists have recognised its contribution in improving indoor and outdoor air quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

LPG is being used alongside renewable technologies, as well as with decentralised electricity to help reduce carbon emissions on a local level.

In the world and southern African region, LPG has come out handy especially for low-income households.

A 2009 report by the University of Cape Town's energy department noted a welcome transition to LPG.

It said that at the end of 2005 and in 2006, the Western Cape suffered extended blackouts. The cuts came as a shock and customers were loud in their criticism of Eskom and the City of Cape Town's failure to provide reliable electricity supply. Eskom's responses included the introduction of an aggressive Demand Side Management programme with the goal of saving electricity and reducing the need to shed customers.

One initiative was the swapping of two-plate electric stoves for Liquid Petroleum Gas stoves.

The result was more people readily accepting, even after the load shedding was gone.

Previous studies in household energy use had shown that people perceived LPG to be dangerous saying that it posed a greater danger to the household than paraffin since it might explode.

In Zimbabwe, suppliers say much of the demand for LPG products has been coming from people who have been outside the country and used LPG with positive results.

On the apparent dangers of the use of household gas, consumers are urged to take deliberate steps to ensure that they remain safe.

The biggest indication of danger is the smell issuing from leaking cylinders or open valves.

When one detects the smell, it is advisable to open windows and doors, shut the valve that might be on and not light any open flame, as this might be dangerous.

One should give enough room for the gas to diffuse before lighting the appliance.

To avoid leaks, one has to regularly check the "o' rings, and washers and check on the clamps and hose for wear and tear.

Gas appliances require a special reinforced hose and never any type other than the one provided by dealers and suppliers.

On taking cylinders for refill, one has to ask the dealer to check for any defects on the cylinder.

It is also important to teach children on the dangers and proper use of gas appliances.

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