As Tanzania strives to modernize its vehicle fuel supply, the shift towards compressed natural gas (CNG) is hindered by an inadequate number of filling stations. Despite significant potential savings and environmental benefits, delays and long queues at the few available refueling sites are frustrating early adopters. While the Tanzanian government pushes for widespread CNG adoption, the current infrastructure struggles to meet growing demand, prompting calls for urgent expansion to support the revolution in cleaner fuel.
Tanzania's Push for Cleaner Fuel Hindered by Filling Station Shortages
Tanzania's Push for Cleaner Fuel Hindered by Filling Station Shortages
Tanzania's transition to compressed natural gas (CNG) as a vehicle fuel encounters challenges due to insufficient refueling infrastructure.
Tanzania is currently experiencing an increased interest in compressed natural gas (CNG) as a cleaner and more cost-effective alternative to traditional fuels like petrol and diesel. The implementation of this transition has seen about 5,000 early adopters, among which are many commercial drivers. The drive towards CNG is supported by the country's considerable underwater gas reserves, promising costs that may be less than half of petrol prices.
However, as consumers like taxi owner Samuel Amos Irube have discovered, the limited number of CNG filling stations can lead to significant downtime. Irube has expressed frustrations about waiting for hours to refuel his newly converted bajaji, as only four refueling locations exist in Dar es Salaam, the country’s largest city. Despite spending 40% less than petrol on gas, the long wait times are discouraging.
The situation is echoed by others in long queues, such as Medadi Kichungo Ngoma, who recalls a time when refueling was much more convenient. The evidence of increasing demand for CNG is clear, yet infrastructure development has lagged significantly. Aristides Kato, project manager at the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, admits they did not anticipate rapid uptake in CNG vehicles, revealing a gap in supply versus demand.
In response to the call for more filling stations, companies like Taqa Arabia plan to expand their infrastructure to support the burgeoning CNG market, hoping to replicate Egypt's prior success in the CNG sector. The Tanzanian government is working on a central CNG "mother station" expected to alleviate some difficulties by supplying gas to smaller stations across the country, supplemented by mobile CNG units in major cities.
While these initiatives aim to improve service, the immediate concerns over long wait times underscore the urgent need for expansion within Tanzania's CNG fueling infrastructure. The push for CNG adoption remains strong, but without timely infrastructural investments, the revolution in cleaner fuel is at risk of stalling.
However, as consumers like taxi owner Samuel Amos Irube have discovered, the limited number of CNG filling stations can lead to significant downtime. Irube has expressed frustrations about waiting for hours to refuel his newly converted bajaji, as only four refueling locations exist in Dar es Salaam, the country’s largest city. Despite spending 40% less than petrol on gas, the long wait times are discouraging.
The situation is echoed by others in long queues, such as Medadi Kichungo Ngoma, who recalls a time when refueling was much more convenient. The evidence of increasing demand for CNG is clear, yet infrastructure development has lagged significantly. Aristides Kato, project manager at the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, admits they did not anticipate rapid uptake in CNG vehicles, revealing a gap in supply versus demand.
In response to the call for more filling stations, companies like Taqa Arabia plan to expand their infrastructure to support the burgeoning CNG market, hoping to replicate Egypt's prior success in the CNG sector. The Tanzanian government is working on a central CNG "mother station" expected to alleviate some difficulties by supplying gas to smaller stations across the country, supplemented by mobile CNG units in major cities.
While these initiatives aim to improve service, the immediate concerns over long wait times underscore the urgent need for expansion within Tanzania's CNG fueling infrastructure. The push for CNG adoption remains strong, but without timely infrastructural investments, the revolution in cleaner fuel is at risk of stalling.
