• Targets MEPS implementation, energy labels enforcement by 2026
The federal Government has approved new minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for Air Conditioners (ACs) as part of Nigeria’s moves to mitigate climate change from cooling-related emissions.
The government also plans to implement MEPS for air conditioners and enforce energy labels to guide consumers about the efficiency of appliances across the country by 2026.
The new MEPs were crafted under the project, “Scaling Up Energy-Efficient and Climate-Friendly Cooling in Nigeria NDC Review”. It is being executed by the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) with technical assistance from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and funding from the Clean Cooling Collaborative.
The objective of the project is to accelerate the transition to energy-efficient and climate-friendly (low-GWP refrigerant) ACs in residential, commercial and public buildings, which contribute to meeting Nigeria’s climate targets in the National Determined Contributions (NDCs) cost-effectively and sustainably.
Clean Cooling Collaborative and United for Efficiency (U4E) holds a catalytic role in Nigeria’s efforts to achieve its NDC target of a yearly 2.5 per cent reduction in energy intensity across all sectors. Primarily, it aims to accelerate the transition from conventional and inefficient ACs to energy-efficient models, as well as expedite the shift from ozone-depleting refrigerants, which are still present in many ACs, to low-global warming refrigerants.
The new standards were unveiled at a one-day training workshop to enhance stakeholders’ capacity to comply with the newly approved minimum energy performance standards for ACs in Nigeria, organised by ECN, in partnership with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in Lagos.
The workshop was designed to create awareness among critical stakeholders on the newly approved AC MEPS and build the technical capacity of manufacturers, importers and distributors of ACs to ensure effective compliance.
Speaking at the workshop, the Director General, ECN, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, said, the need for sustainable cooling solutions had never been more critical.
He said, “As our country strives for economic growth and development, the demand for cooling systems continues to rise.
“However, this growing demand comes with significant energy consumption and environmental consequences. It is our collective responsibility to find innovative and sustainable ways to meet the cooling needs of our nation by mitigating climate change without overloading energy infrastructure.”
According to Abdullahi represented by ECN’s Acting Director/Head, Energy transition, Dr Shehu Mustapha, the apex government organ is empowered to carry out overall energy sector planning and policy implementation is strategic in creating this re-orientation, to promote the energy efficiency of end-use appliances.
