Government bans unleaded petrol, calls for ethanol blending

In a significant move towards promoting sustainable energy practices, the Government of Zimbabwe has announced a new regulatory measure that mandates the blending of unleaded petrol with anhydrous ethanol. This decision, which effectively bans the sale of pure unleaded petrol in the country, was officially communicated by the Minister of Energy and Power Development under the recently enacted Statutory Instrument 150 of 2024.

The regulation requires that all unleaded petrol imported into Zimbabwe must be blended with anhydrous ethanol before it reaches the consumer market. This policy aims to promote the use of cleaner energy sources and reduce the country’s carbon footprint, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change and transition to greener energy alternatives.

The mandatory blending policy is part of a broader government strategy to enhance energy security, promote the local ethanol industry, and contribute to environmental sustainability. By increasing the use of ethanol—a renewable energy source derived primarily from sugarcane and other biomass—the government hopes to reduce the country’s dependency on fossil fuels, which are not only costly but also contribute significantly to environmental degradation.

The Minister of Energy and Power Development emphasized that this policy is a critical step in Zimbabwe’s energy transition plan. “This mandatory blending regulation is not just about reducing our carbon emissions, but it’s also about ensuring that Zimbabwe is less reliant on imported fossil fuels,” the Minister stated. He further explained that this move would help stimulate the local ethanol production industry, creating jobs and contributing to the economy