DOMESTIC DEMAND INCREASES GAS IMPORTS IN RWANDA

Increased adoption of cooking gas in Rwanda have caused a rise in gas imports.

Statistics in Rwanda have shown more Rwandans are discarding charcoal and choosing gas as the new energy source for cooking. This demand have cause a fourteen times increase in the importation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). This is according to Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA).

In 2010 records show that Rwanda imported about 700,000 kilograms of LPG and the imports is still increasing as imports reach 10 million kilogrammes of the gas in 2017.

This increase is as a result of the Rwandan government sensitizing its citizens and setting up sound mechanism for use of gas and other modern environmentally-friendly energy sources for cooking.

Director of Gas and Downstream Petroleum regulations at RURA, Engr. Gérard Rusine, said about 90 per cent of LPG serves as cooking gas. He also said the increase will continue if the government keeps up with its sensitization campaigns.

Ruisine also advocates that government should put up more incentives to enable gas suppliers do their job. This incentive can include availing gas storage facilities for LPG suppliers across the country. It can also include setting up LPG strategic stocks for cases of serious shortage, and waiving taxes on gas accessories.

The use of gas for cooking is very cost-effective and it’s clean energy, but a large number of Rwandans still use firewood and charcoal for cooking.

World Health Organisation (WHO), say over four million people die prematurely every year from household air pollution. Especially from cooking with solid fuels (wood, crop wastes, charcoal, coal and dung) in open fires and leaky stoves.

Survey show that people in Rwanda who have adopted cooking gas still supplement with charcoal to save cost.