Kenya is set to benefit from a new liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage and handling facility, which will be built by the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) at a cost of Sh17.7 billion. The new facility will be located in Changamwe, Mombasa County and will have a storage capacity of 30,000 metric tonnes. This development is expected to boost the availability of LPG in the country and help to lower the cost of cooking gas, which has been on the rise in recent years.

KPC has engaged R&E Modern Technologies and Petrochem Engineering Services from Pakistan to serve as consultants for the project. The company has estimated that the project will cost Sh17,731,000,000 to implement. The facility will receive LPG from the Kipevu Oil Terminal Jetty, which will be transported to the storage facility in Changamwe.

This move comes at a time when the government is seeking to make LPG more affordable for consumers. The rising cost of cooking gas has been attributed to the depreciating local shilling and the Ukraine-Russia war. The high cost of cooking gas has made it difficult for many households to access this essential commodity, with many forced to resort to using traditional fuels such as firewood, charcoal, and kerosene.

The new LPG storage and handling facility is expected to boost the availability of LPG in the country, making it more accessible to consumers. This will help to reduce the reliance on traditional fuels, which have negative environmental impacts and contribute to deforestation. The increased use of LPG will also help to improve the health of households, as traditional fuels are known to cause respiratory diseases and other health problems.

In addition to the KPC project, petrochemical company Eleven Energy has sought approval from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to set up a gas storage facility in Mombasa. The company specializes in the sale of LPG in Kenya and plans to construct and operate a bulk LPG import and storage facility in the Kipevu area of Mombasa County.

The rising demand for LPG in the country has prompted companies such as KPC and Eleven Energy to invest in new storage and handling facilities. This will help to ensure a steady supply of LPG to meet the growing demand from households and businesses. The increased availability of LPG will also help to drive down the cost of cooking gas, making it more affordable for consumers.