One is greener than the other
This week I took delivery of a 48 kg cylinder of liquid propane gas. This may seem odd, because I only use gas for heating in the winter. (I wrote about this here.)
But it was all part of a plan. Because burning LPG purchased in the summer may be about the only way to use a fossil fuel at virtually no cost to the environment. That’s right, no net carbon dioxide emissions, sulfur dioxide or any other nasties will be released into the atmosphere as I stay warm burning this gas in the coming winter.
The logic is this: LPG is a byproduct of the refining process. Wherever petrol is made from oil, gas or coal in South Africa, some LPG is produced. As a friend a Sasol first told me, in the summer, when LPG demand is down, these plants run out of storage capacity for LPG and frequently flare it. So if I work on the assumption that my new bottle of gas would have been flared into the atmosphere anyway, I can burn it with a clean conscience.
I planned ahead for this moment back in August, when one gas bottle was depleted. I always have one spare 48 kg cylinder on hand, and replace an empty as soon as I switch over. But two weeks into August I did some quick calculations and figured there was no way my new bottle would run out before warm weather arrived.
Of course, if South Africa had a rational, competitive market, LPG prices would come down in the summer, everyone would have a financial incentive to plan ahead and buy gas in the summer, and flaring of LPG would come to an end. But anyone who buys bread or has a bank account in this country knows that we do not have a rational, competitive market.
So should I buy more LPG bottles to get me through the winter? I don’t know. I worry that South Africa could run into a gas-cylinder shortage this winter. So many people are switching to gas for cooking because they no longer trust Eskom. I will try to investigate the gas-bottle supply situation before winter arrives. If it looks good, I will buy an extra bottle and let you know.
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April 10th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
I can not buy or find in the market any 9 kg cylinders.I think there will be a shortage this winter
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I have spoken to some people in the LPG industry and I am convinced that they have made an effort to bring in large numbers of cylinders and to improve the supply, storage and transport of LPG. But, as Peter Kolarik of Easigas told me, LPG suppliers “can’t step into the shoes of Eskom.”
The kinds of problems that have caused shortages in the past two years, which had to do with refineries out of action, are less likely this winter, I’m told. But demand has risen so quickly that it is impossible to predict.
The best thing people can do is to try not to waste gas, and to keep cylinders in circulation. If everyone decides to keep a few extra cylinders in their garage we most certainly will have a shortage.
In the short term, I suggest that you call Afrox on 086 002 0202 and ask where you can find gas in your area. I tried them today and they were able to find me a source with 9 kg bottles in stock near my home.