The Federal Government has approved the rollout of new Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) and energy labelling for air conditioners (ACs) to ensure more energy efficient, affordable and environmentally friendly cooling.
Air conditioners are among the highest energy-consuming appliances, accounting for over 40 per cent of household electricity usage and much of that is wasted due to outdated technology, which is common, locally.
The federal government said the newly approved standard, aligned with international best practices, will help ensure that Nigeria is home to modern appliances which use electricity more optimally than outdated models with power savings that can be redirected to other sectors of the economy. The standard will also ensure that more climate-friendly refrigerant gasses are used in the equipment, consistent with the Government’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Climate Agreement.
Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Mustapha Abdullahi described the newly approved MEPS as a game changer. “For ECN, we believe that many Nigerians are paying excessive amounts for operating cooling systems. By setting an efficient standard for air conditioning, we are taking steps make use of this vital equipment more affordable and accessible while caring for the environment.”
He said enforcement would be key going forward, to ensure that labels are provided to manufacturers and importers of air conditioning systems, a process that is currently under discussion by the government He also highlighted the importance of raising awareness among Nigerians about the benefits of energy-efficient products, helping consumers make informed decisions about their energy use.
Africa Director and Regional Representative, United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP), Rose Mwebaza, in a reaction to the development, said Nigeria’s new energy efficiency standard for air conditioners, is set to save 11.5 TWh of energy annually by 2040 and will be a game-changer for Africa.
According to her, by reducing energy consumption and emissions by 39 million tonnes of CO₂ over the next 15 years, Nigeria is not only lowering costs for consumers but also leading the way towards a more sustainable and greener economy for the continent.
