A new policy that will allow gas consumers to exchange their empty cylinders for filled ones without owning them will be implemented from September this year in Accra and selected parts of the country.

The policy, known as the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM), is being spearheaded by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and its partners, under the supervision of the Ministry of Energy.

The aim of the policy is to ensure that at least 50 per cent of Ghanaians have access to safe, clean and environmentally-friendly Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) by 2030.

It is also meant to improve safety standards, reduce gas leakage and explosion risks, and create more jobs in the LPG sector.The CRM involves the following steps

LPG Bulk Distribution Companies (LBDCs) import or buy LPG from local refineries or gas processing plants and store it in their bulk storage facilities.

LBDCs sell LPG in bulk to Bottling Plants, where empty cylinders are filled and tested for quality and safety.

Filled cylinders are transported in specialised trucks from Bottling Plants to Exchange Depots, where they are sorted and stored for distribution.

Exchange Depots supply filled cylinders to Cylinder Exchange Points (CEPs), where consumers can register with their Ghana Card and pay for any quantity of LPG they want.

Consumers exchange their empty cylinders for filled ones at CEPs, without owning or maintaining the cylinders.

What this means for consumers

The CRM policy means that consumers will have more convenience and flexibility in accessing LPG for their domestic and commercial needs.

They will not have to worry about owning or maintaining a cylinder or finding a nearby gas station to refill it.

They will also benefit from improved safety standards and reduced risk of gas explosions.

They will only need their Ghana Card and money to buy any amount of LPG they want from any exchange point across the country.