Zimpapers Logo

Kudakwashe Pembere Business Reporter—-
GOVERNMENT has with immediate effect introduced E10 mandatory blending of anhydrous ethanol and unleaded petrol at levels of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent unleaded petrol. This is in line with its policy to promote the use of locally produced ethanol. The increase of fuel blending ratio to 10 percent follows the introduction of E5 two months ago by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority.

“Given the need to maximise on the benefits of blended petrol, Government is now taking petrol blending to the next stage, through blending of all petrol sold in the country, at 10 percent with effect from October 15, 201.

“Since 2011 when E10 was introduced, motorists have shown confidence in the product by voluntarily choosing it over the unblended petrol. In addition, motorists have seen for themselves that E10 is a vehicle friendly type of fuel.

“It is a fact that E10 is a tried, tested and accepted blend in Zimbabwe. Government has not received any material complaints against the product by the motoring public. In addition the country benefits through import substitution, lower petrol prices and reduced vehicle emissions,” said the Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development Engineer Munacho Mutezo who was the guest of honour at the Zera Petroleum workshop on introducing E10 mandatory blending yesterday.

Deputy Minister Mutezo noted that the Government through the National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe, has put up blending facilities at Feruka and Msasa depots, and is actively pursuing the installation of an additional facility in Bulawayo to serve the southern region of the country.

He also said that since the agreed price for ethanol is 95 cents per litre with mandatory blending more of the ethanol will be used for blending purposes. He said the expectation therefore is that fuel price will go down as the volumes supplied onto the market increase.
Eng Mutezo added that the Government was in the process of putting in place legislation for mandatory blending. He said that a Statutory Instrument to give effect to mandatory blending shall be gazetted soon as it will obligate local fuel suppliers to supply only the blended petrol with Zera enforcing the same.

Zera chief executive Eng Gloria Magombo said that fuel dealers have up to November 10 to clear in terms of compliance to this directive.