SA Ministry of Energy Issues First License for Selling LPG Cylinders Via Vending Machines

The Ministry of Energy announced the issuance of the first license in the Kingdom for selling liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders via vending machines. This comes within the Ministry's endeavors to achieve the goals of the distribution system for residential and commercial purposes, encompassing both dry gas and LPG.

The step constitutes an integral part of the Ministry's commitment to foster competition, dismantle monopolistic practices within the LPG sector, enhance service excellence, guarantee security and accessibility of gas supplies, and strengthen the efficiency of licensed entities in providing these services.

The commitment also includes raising the standards and measures applied within this indispensable service, promoting technological localization, protecting consumer rights, and diversifying outlets for selling gas cylinder and their accessories.

These objectives are achieved while maintaining the enforcement of security and safety requirements at service delivery points and continuously enhancing the quality of the provided services to consumers.

The vending machines for LPG cylinders will be accessible at fuel stations and large retail markets, offering consumers 24/7 access to a wide range of LPG-related services.

These services include purchasing new gas cylinders, exchanging empty cylinders, and obtaining cylinder accessories such as regulators and others.

The machines have been designed to be compatible with smartphone applications, thereby enhancing consumer service with greater ease and efficiency.

The step aligns with the Ministry's endeavor to incentivize investments in the LPG sector’s activities, on which the Ministry has received requests for pre-qualification from companies interested in investing in transporting LPG from its sources to filling and storage facilities, as well as establishing, developing and operating these facilities, and distributing LPG in bulk to consumers. These steps highlight the Ministry’s role in supporting avenues for growth and economic progress, which the Kingdom is actively fostering as a key stride towards realizing the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. ?