Director-General of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Ifeanyi Chukwunonso, has called for the adoption of Minimum Energy Performance Standards for appliances in the country, as part of the efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change, reduce mercury in lighting appliances and improve energy access.
He spoke at a workshop on MEPS in Abuja on Wednesday.
The workshop was meant to create awareness on the Minimum Energy Performance Standards and Labeling Lighting in Nigeria in collaboration Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADeV Nigeria.
The DG, who was represented by the Director of Lab Services at SON, Mr. Adewunmi Richard, said Nigeria was facing a challenge of meeting its energy demand, as the World Bank reported that only 54.3 per cent of the population had access to electricity in 2021.
He added that the world was facing a threat of ozone layer depletion and global warming due to the burning of fossil fuels, which account for a large share of global emissions.
“Today Nigeria is struggling to meet the energy requirements of the country, World Bank records show that the electricity access rate in Nigeria stood at 54.3 per cent in 2021, while the world is battling to mitigate the effect of climate change due to the depletion of ozone layer depletion. The urgent need for a global concerted effort to minimise the catastrophic effect of the change and stop continual depletion cannot be overemphasized,” he said.
The DG urged the stakeholders to work together to ensure the successful implementation of MEPS, which would set a minimum level of energy efficiency that appliances must meet to be sold in the market.
He said that MEPS would help reduce energy consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and promote a sustainable future.
The SON boss added that MEPS would apply to various products, such as refrigerators, air conditioners, televisions, vehicles, and building materials.
He noted that by eliminating inefficient products from the market, MEPS would encourage consumers to make more sustainable choices and save money on their energy bills. He said that Nigeria would be contributing significantly to saving the world by adopting MEPS.
“MEPS apply to a wide range of products, from appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners, and televisions, to vehicles and building materials. By setting minimum energy efficiency requirements for these products, governments ensure that only energy-efficient options are available in the market. This, in turn, encourages consumers to make more sustainable choices and reduces their energy bills,” he said.
In his welcome address, the Chairperson, Professor Babajide Alo, added that the standards were in place to ensure that lighting products meet specific energy efficiency criteria.
He added that the workshop was crucial to the enforcement of the regulatory standard by the SON.
The Executive Director of SRADeV Nigeria, Dr Leslie Adogame, stated that the MEPS was meant to ensure energy products meet the minimum standard of energy consumption in Nigeria under the Minamata convention in which Nigeria is a signatory to.
Earlier, the SON DG had noted that MEPS help to reduce energy consumption and the demand for electricity, drive innovation and competition among manufacturers, and have economic benefits.
He however, stated there were challenges associated with implementing MEPS, such as compliance issues and increased costs. To address these challenges, he said it was important for governments to provide incentives and education programs to support the adoption of energy-efficient products.
“MEPS are a crucial tool in our efforts to promote energy efficiency and sustainability. By setting minimum energy performance standards for products, we can reduce energy consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and create a more sustainable future. MEPS offer benefits to consumers, manufacturers, and the environment, and it is important for us to continue supporting and advocating for their implementation. Together, we can make a difference and create a better and more sustainable world for future generations,” he added.
