You are likely to reduce the cost of fuelling your vehicle in coming years if Kenya and Tanzania implement the natural gas deal signed in 2023.
TAQA Dalbit Tanzania, which is a joint venture between TAQA Arabia and Janus Continental Group, specializes in offering key infrastructure for refilling of compressed natural gas at fuel stations as well as converting vehicles to start using compressed natural gas. TAQA Dalbit Tanzania has rolled out the first integrated Compressed Natural Gas Filling Station and Conversion Centre in Dar es Salaam with plans to roll out more in Tanzania as well as neighbouring countries.
TAQA Dalbit Tanzania, Managing Director, Amr Ismail Aboushady, says Mastergas TAQA Dalbit station’s selling point is its innovation and technology that powers its high efficiency.
“Motorists prefer us because we electronically refill the CNG to capacity and do it very fast. Those refilling at this [Mastergas TAQA Dalbit] station spent less time here when compared to doing so at manual CNG refilling stations,” says Aboushady.
The station has received a rousing reception by motorists if queues the only automated CNG refilling station is anything to go by.
He says the plan to is open three more automated CNG refilling stations in Tanzania within a year.
“We also have plans to expand to other regional countries,” says Aboushady.
An investor announced plans in 2023 to set up a natural gas plant at the Dongo Kundu special economic zone.
We sought to find out if Kenya is among countries that TAQA Dalbit Tanzania plan to expand to, and Aboushady said: “This is reliant on Kenya and Tanzania agreeing on importation of natural gas.”
“We are very keen on efficiency, which enables us to offer high quality services,” says Dalbit Tanzania, Country Manager, Caroline Mugambi.
The conversion centre at Mastergas TAQA Dalbit station in Dar es Salaam is beehive of activities as motorists rush to convert their vehicles or three wheelers to start using compressed natural gas and benefit from drastically reduced running costs.
“At this centre, we convert three to four vehicles a day,” he says.
It costs about Kshs 100,000 to convert a vehicle to start using compressed natural gas.
Aboushady says the use of compressed natural gas to power vehicles has widely been backed by environmentalists.
“This is because when you use compressed natural gas as opposed to the normal fuel, you reduce emissions by 25%,” he explains.
BSL Infrastructure, which is a subsidiary of Janus Continental Group, is the firm that supported in the design and supervision of the construction of TAQA Dalbit first Integrated CNG filling station and conversion centre along Pugu road, Dar es salaam.
The project was completed and commissioned in 2023.
“BSL has been awarded a contract to construct and commission TAQA Dalbit second CNG station along Sam Nujoma Road,” according to information on the Janus Continental Group website.