The United Nations Environment Programme has reported that Nigeria could save approximately $1.3bn per annum if it ceases using air conditioners and refrigerators that do not comply with the Minimum Energy Performance Standards.
This was disclosed In their report titled “Project Overview of Scaling-Up Energy-Efficient and Climate-Friendly Cooling in Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution Revision,” accessed by The Punch.
UNEP disclosed that the achievement of Nigeria’s National Determined Contributions with regards to energy efficiency would have an important role on the country’s energy savings and climate change mitigation.
The Programme Management Officer at UNEP, Brian Holuj, in the report obtained from the Energy Commission of Nigeria, said the adoption of energy efficiency standards in Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions will result in the country saving a considerable amount of energy.
Holuj explained that Nigeria’s energy savings would be positively influenced if they adhered to global energy efficiency standards.
According to the report, which assessed the potential effects of room air conditioners concerning Minimum Energy Performance Standards in Nigeria, it is projected that the consumption of electricity by air conditioners will increase by 590% by the year 2040.
However, the report provides a solution to this problem by stating that “basic policies can decrease this electricity demand growth to 410 per cent. Stringent policies can decrease this electricity demand growth to 275 per cent.”
The report states in part, “Annual savings in 2040 is 12TWh (12 Terawatts-hour, that is 12,000,000 megawatts-hour) of electricity consumption, which is equivalent to five-plus power stations of 500MW each; 7.5 million tonnes of CO2; and $1.3bn on electricity bills.”
The report aimed to achieve energy-efficient and climate-friendly cooling through various methods, including conducting a market assessment, recommending monitoring and enforcement protocols, and raising awareness among vendors and consumers. The project also aimed to leverage existing data for its objectives.
It further stated, “It is to update AC MEPS and energy labels to enhance energy efficiency and address refrigerant global warming potential, provide capacity building to strengthen compliance, train technicians on energy-efficient and climate-friendly room ACs, and recommend cooling targets in the Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Climate Agreement.”
