By Staff Reporter
THE Government of Zimbabwe has taken a controversial move after announcing a ban on the sale of unleaded petrol and foisting a new statute compelling the mixing of fuel with ethanol.
This measure comes into force this week, a development interpreted by some observers as the country’s energy strategy aimed at promoting the use of biofuels.
The ban came via the latest amendment to the Petroleum (Mandatory Blending of Anhydrous Ethanol with Unleaded Petrol) Regulations, 2024 (No. 6).
In the tweaked law, the Minister of Energy and Power Development, following consultations with the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA), exercised the powers granted under section 57(1) of the Petroleum Act [Chapter 13:22] to enact these changes.
According to the amendment, Section 3 of the Petroleum (Mandatory Blending of Anhydrous Ethanol with Unleaded Petrol) Regulations, 2013, published in Statutory Instrument 17 of 2013, has been repealed and replaced with new provisions.
“These regulations shall apply to all unleaded petrol imported into Zimbabwe. Subsection (1) shall come into operation seven days from the date of publication of these regulations,” reads the Government Gazette.
This effectively means that all unleaded petrol imported into the country must now be blended with anhydrous ethanol before being put on sale to motorists.
The implementation of this new regulation is set to begin this week, giving fuel suppliers and retailers a short window to comply with the new requirements.
The blending of ethanol with unleaded petrol is expected to reduce the country’s reliance on imported fossil fuels and promote the use of renewable energy sources.
“Petroleum (Mandatory Blending of Anhydrous Ethanol with Unleaded Petrol) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No. 6)
It is hereby notified that the Minister of Energy and Power Development, after consultation with the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority has in terms of section 57 (1) of the Petroleum Act [Chapter 13:22], made the following regulations:-1. These regulations may be cited as the Petroleum (Mandatory Blending of Anhydrous Ethanol with Unleaded Petrol) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No. 6).
“Section 3 of the Petroleum (Mandatory Blending ofAnhydrous Ethanol with Unleaded Petrol) Regulations, 2013, published in Statutory Instrument 17 of 2013, is repealed and substituted by the following—”
“These regulations shall apply to all unleaded petrol imported into Zimbabwe. Subsection (1) shall come into operation seven days from the date of publication of these regulations.”