Energy Commission, UNEP Collaborate On Training Standard Regulators On New Air-Conditioning Standards.

Energy Commission, UNEP Collaborate On Training Standard Regulators On New Air-Conditioning Standards.

As part of its mandate of promoting sustainable energy development in the country, the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) has held a one-day training workshop on Air Conditioners Monitoring, Verification and Enforcement (AC-MVE).

The training which was in collaboration with the UN Environment Programmme (UNEP) was designed to build the capacity of relevant government institutions to effectively enforce energy efficiency standards of air conditioning equipment in Nigeria.

Speaking at the occasion, the Director General of the Commission, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi described it as an integral part of a broader plan to speed up the transition to energy-efficient air conditioners. 

He said: "The purpose of the workshop is about scaling-up energy-efficient and climate friendly cooling in Nigeria with the overall objective of accelerating the transition to energy-efficient air-conditioners (ACs) with climate-friendly (low-GWP refrigerant) in residential, commercial and public buildings.

"This initiative aligns with Nigeria’s climate targets in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and aims to do so in a cost-effective and sustainable manner." 

Abdullahi also provided more insight into the objectives of the training workshop.

 "To build the capacity of relevant government institutions to effectively enforce energy performance standards of air conditioning equipment; to enhance their ability to carry out surveillance activities in the air conditioner sector to monitor compliance with these standards; to harness feedback from stakeholders and solicit their buy-in regarding the new energy performance standards proposed for air conditioner standards," he said.

The ECN DG added that the outcome of the training workshop would complement ongoing efforts at strengthening the capacity of government agencies concerned with market surveillance and the enforcement of Minimum Energy Performance standards (MEPS) for air-conditioners.

On his part, the Country National Coordinator of UNEP Mr. Etiosa Uyigue laid emphasis on the need for Nigeria to review its energy standard every 5 years.

Participants at the workshop include representatives of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Ministry of Environment, the National Environmental Standards and Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) as well as civil society groups and Non-governmental organisations.