National Petroleum Authority to Fully Implement Cylinder Recirculation Model in 2026

The Director of Business Development at the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Yaw Konu, has announced that Ghana’s Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) will be fully rolled out in 2026 following board approval of a cylinder investment margin to support bottling plants.

Speaking at the Africa Extractives Media Fellowship training in Accra on Wednesday, February 18, Mr. Konu explained that the approved margin will compensate bottling plants and accelerate the distribution of LPG cylinders nationwide.

He noted that the decision will enable bottling facilities to expand operations and increase the number of cylinders available for consumer exchange.

“Soon, the public will see a significant rollout,” he said, adding that exchange points will be stocked with more cylinders once the nationwide implementation begins.

Mr. Konu urged consumers to prepare to exchange their cylinders when the full rollout starts.

He clarified that the pilot phase did not encounter major setbacks but instead provided valuable lessons for the Authority and stakeholders.

According to him, the initial pilot involved refilling plants managing both filling and distribution, while a later phase shifted responsibility to bottling plants. Insights from both approaches helped identify operational gaps and refine the system.

With the board’s approval of the investment margin, he expressed confidence that the NPA is ready for full implementation. Although he did not specify the exact quarter for the rollout, he confirmed that nationwide deployment will occur in 2026, with final timelines to be coordinated with the Gas Directorate.

Ghana’s Cylinder Recirculation Model is designed to improve safety in the handling and distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The system replaces on-site refilling at retail stations with a cylinder exchange model, where consumers swap empty cylinders for filled ones at designated points.

Under the model, bottling plants will inspect, maintain, and fill cylinders to meet safety standards before redistribution. The initiative aims to reduce accidents at gas filling points in residential communities and ensure cylinders are properly maintained before reaching consumers.