The Federal Government has given the green light to introduce new energy efficiency standards and labeling for air conditioners.
The move aims to make cooling more energy-efficient, affordable, and eco-friendly, as it will ensure that air conditioners meet certain energy efficiency requirements, while the energy labeling will provide consumers with crucial information to make informed purchasing decisions.
Air conditioners are among the highest energy-consuming appliances, accounting for over 40 percent of household electricity usage, and much of that is wasted due to outdated technology, which is common locally.
The new standard was developed under the project ‘Scaling Up Energy-Efficient and Climate-Friendly Cooling in Nigeria’s NDC Revision’ implemented by the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) with technical support from the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) United for Efficiency (U4E) team and funding from the Clean Cooling Collaborative (CCC), in collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
Commenting on this development, the Director-General of the ECN, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, described the newly approved MEPS as a game-changer.
He said, “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 to make use of this vital equipment more affordable and accessible while caring for the environment.”
The Director-General emphasized that enforcement would be key.
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.
He said: “The people who consume a large amount of electricity need to understand the benefits of purchasing energy-efficient and climate-friendly air conditioning systems.
“To enhance awareness campaigns, the ECN plans to expand its outreach to sub-national regions, educating consumers about the new MEPS and the impact of their current energy usage on electricity costs. We will also engage vendors, assemblers, and marketers to present solutions.”
Abdullahi assured that the government remains committed to driving the energy efficiency agenda and promoting environmental sustainability in the cooling sector.
He also revealed plans to develop a standard and labeling system for refrigeration appliances.
On his part, Africa Director and Regional Representative of UNEP, Dr. Rose Mwebaza, stated: “Nigeria’s new energy efficiency standard for air conditioners, set to save 11.5 TWh of energy annually by 2040, is a game-changer for Africa. 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 toward a more sustainable and greener economy for the continent.”
Also, Noah Horowitz, Senior Director of the Clean Cooling Collaborative, which provided funding support for the work, said, “As Africa’s largest cooling market and one of the fastest-growing cooling markets in the world, Nigeria’s new standard is a big deal and will ensure that every new air conditioner sold is an efficient one and that the country is no longer a dumping ground for energy-wasting models.
“By significantly reducing cooling-related energy consumption, this standard will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also lower household utility bills across the country, and we hope this bold action serves as a blueprint for other nations in the region to follow.”
The Guardian reports that the transition to climate-friendly refrigerants will also be guided by an upper limit on global warming potential, set to take effect in 2029.