Vipingo: In a strategic move to advance the government’s LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) Growth Strategy, the Principal Secretary for Petroleum, Mohammed Liban, has emphasized the importance of establishing common user facilities to reduce the cost of gas and increase accessibility for Kenyans and the wider East African region.
According to Kenya News Agency, during an official inspection tour of the Lake Gas LPG storage and handling facility in Vipingo, PS Mohamed Liban CBS assured that the government will work closely with key stakeholders, African Gas and Oil Company (AGOL) and the Kenya Pipeline Refineries Limited (KPRL), to streamline LPG infrastructure through shared facilities that will benefit both the public and private sector players.
‘Once we have common user facilities in place, we will be able to significantly reduce the price of gas, making it more accessible and affordable for Kenyans. This is part of our larger vision for a regional procurement and distribution strategy that will ultimately reach every household,’ Liban said.
The push for common user facilities, regional LPG depots, and increased private investment is part of the government’s broader LPG Growth Strategy. This initiative, championed by His Excellency President William Ruto, seeks to ensure that every Kenyan household, school, and institution can access affordable and safe cooking gas.
‘Affordability and accessibility are at the heart of our strategy. By building infrastructure and encouraging competition, we will lower prices and increase supply. This is how we secure clean energy for all Kenyans while protecting our forests and environment,’ the PS said.
The PS, who was accompanied by a multi-agency team comprising representatives from the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), and officials from the Ministry, toured the Lake Gas onshore and offshore facilities to assess their readiness ahead of the facility’s commissioning.
The inspection revealed significant progress at the facility, which currently boasts a 10,000 metric tons’ capacity made up of four storage spheres-each with a 2,500-tonne capacity. The site is also equipped with four gantries capable of handling 1,000 metric tons of LPG per day within a 10-hour operating window.
‘The construction quality is impressive, with top-tier security systems, automated monitoring for both onshore and offshore operations, and comprehensive fire suppression infrastructure that can be powered by either electricity or generators,’ the PS noted.
Liban confirmed that the facility had complied with all key regulatory requirements and recommendations from the relevant authorities, aside from minor pending adjustments. These, he assured, would be finalized before full commissioning, with rigorous safety tests to be conducted due to the flammable nature of LPG.
He emphasized safety to remain a priority as they are dealing with a hazardous product and must ensure that all operational procedures meet the highest safety standards-for the sake of the workers, the community, and the institutions that will rely on this gas,’ he emphasized.
The PS also highlighted the pivotal role of the private sector in supporting the government’s LPG agenda. The Lake Gas facility is privately developed and serves as a model of public-private collaboration that the government is keen to replicate across the country.
‘The government has already played its part by setting the policy framework and facilitating infrastructure. We now invite the private sector to come on board in larger numbers. The LPG space has enough room for all committed players to thrive,’ he said.
He added that the Lake Gas facility management said that there are plans underway to expand the current capacity by an additional 15,000 metric tons, further strengthening the country’s bulk LPG handling capabilities.
The Regional Head for Lake Gas Limited, Ramo, expressed appreciation for the visit by the Principal Secretary for Petroleum and the accompanying multi-agency team. He confirmed the company’s readiness to commission the first phase of its state-of-the-art 10,000 metric tons LPG facility.
The facility, equipped with four gantries and a daily loading capacity of 1,000 metric tons, is set to be officially launched within the month.