MERA Challenges Business Community to Venture into LPG Business to Reduce Deforestation

Malawi-The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) is urging the business community to invest in the liquid petroleum gas (LPG) industry to encourage people to switch from other sources of energy, particularly charcoal, to reduce deforestation, writes Susan Moyo.

The call was made by Fitina Khonje, MERA's Consumer Affairs and Public Relations Manager, during the LPG business sensitization meeting in Mzuzu on Wednesday.

Khonje emphasized that LPG is not only environmentally friendly but also safe and convenient to use.

"The market trend for LPG business in Malawi is growing annually by over 30 percent, and the overall growth from 2020 is over 50 percent. This signifies that more people are migrating from other sources of energy to gas," she said.

To facilitate the entry of investors into the LPG market, MERA has revised and separated liquid fuels from gas.

The license fee for gas operations is also in the process of being reduced to ease the financial burden of entry into the LPG business.

Additionally, the curriculum for domestic LPG installers has been developed by TEVETA and is awaiting rollout next year.

Peter Gondwe, one of the participants at the meeting, expressed his excitement about the opportunity the LPG business presents.

"People in different districts in the north will access Gas and Gas Stoves at their area, which is a big motivation, and this will also help in reducing deforestation, which is mainly caused by cutting down of trees for charcoal production and heating," he said.

Recently, the government removed import duty on gas appliances such as gas cookers and hot plates, further encouraging the use of LPG in Malawi.