CHIKA IZUORA, in this article highlights ongoing reforms and efforts to rid Nigeria of cooling system that are considered hazardous to the environment as well as replace them with clean energy efficiency solutions
Nigeria is largely experiencing swirling and spiraling air conditioner demand due to its large population, hot climate, and economic growth.
Aside, Nigeria, many other African countries are major destinations for used cooling appliances, primarily from Europe, due to factors like proximity to shipping ports and high summer temperatures.
These older models are often less energy-efficient and consumes significantly more electricity than newer models and the influx of these appliances contributes to the strain on Nigeria’s already overburdened electricity grids.
Negatively too the use of older, less efficient ACs with outdated refrigerants can have backlash and huge environmental consequences.
Over the years, Nigeria has attempted to ban or regulate the import of used cooling appliances but faces challenges with enforcement.
While some African countries had demonstrated political will and strength to deal with the issue, Nigeria is lately showing signs of seriousness and has taken commendable measures and actions to rid the country of such appliances.
The recently approved Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) by the Government for air conditioners and refrigerators which aims to enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions has been followed up with wide range of stakeholder engagements.
This initiative, spearheaded by the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) and supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Clean Cooling Collaborative (CCC), aims to reduce energy consumption, lower costs for consumers, and contribute to Nigeria’s climate goals.
Nigeria is firmly committed to joining other countries in phasing out energy-inefficient air conditioners due to their high energy consumption and negative impact on the environment and the electrical grid.
These older models often use refrigerants that contribute to ozone depletion and climate change, while also increasing electricity demand and leading to potential blackouts. New energy standards and bans on inefficient units aim to promote more sustainable cooling solutions.
Several African nations are actively working to phase out older, inefficient air conditioners in favor of more energy-efficient models. Ghana and Rwanda have implemented bans on the import of used cooling appliances, including air conditioners, while Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa have established minimum performance standards for new air conditioners and refrigerators.
For instance Ghana, has successfully enforced a ban on the import of used cooling appliances, including air conditioners, while Rwanda has approved a ban on the import of used cooling appliances and is implementing some of Africa’s toughest energy performance standards for new cooling appliances.
Today, Nigeria has moved a step up by introducing new energy performance standards for air conditioners and is actively working to enforce them, with support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
It is also on record that Kenya has minimum performance standards for new air conditioners and refrigerators and South Africa also has minimum performance standards for new cooling appliances.
Older AC models are significantly less energy-efficient than newer models. They consume more electricity to produce the same amount of cooling, leading to higher energy bills for consumers and increased overall energy demand.
Many older ACs use refrigerants like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.Additionally, the electricity used to power these inefficient units is often generated from fossil fuels, resulting in further greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
High energy consumption from a large number of inefficient ACs can overload the electrical grid, particularly during peak demand periods.This can lead to power outages and disruptions in service.
In addition inefficient ACs can contribute to indoor air pollution due to the release of harmful refrigerants and also reliance on AC can make people less tolerant of heat, potentially increasing vulnerability during heat waves.
While the initial cost of an inefficient AC may be lower, the long-term costs associated with higher energy consumption can be substantial.
By phasing out energy-inefficient ACs, countries are working towards a more sustainable future by reducing their carbon footprint, protecting the environment, and ensuring a more reliable and affordable energy supply.
Drawing from other countries experiences, Nigeria will commence the implementation of minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for air conditioners by 2026 to promote energy efficiency across the country.
The introduction of MEPS will regulate the energy consumption of products such as air conditioners and will be enforced by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) on behalf of the government to ensure compliance with efficiency guidelines nationwide.
Enforcement of energy labels to guide consumers about the efficiency of appliances will also begin by 2026 as being energy efficient simply means using less energy to perform the same task, which not only conserves energy but also reduces costs for households and businesses.
Electricity generation in Nigeria remains insufficient for its growing population, but improved efficiency will lower electricity demand and help optimise the grid system, ensuring a more stable supply for everyone.
Nigeria is driving this under the initiative Scaling Up Energy Efficient and Climate-Friendly Cooling in Nigeria.”
The project’s goals is designed to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient air conditioners, encouraging a climate-conscious cooling approach in the country and by switching to energy-efficient appliances and practices, individuals and organisations alike can reduce their electricity bills and support a cleaner, more sustainable environment.
Stakeholders in the industry have expressed their support and opined that prioritising energy efficiency is vital for Nigeria, especially given the twin challenges of rising energy consumption and the urgent need to tackle climate change.
Efficient energy use means achieving the same level of comfort or service with less energy input, directly translating to lower costs and a smaller carbon footprint.
During a training programme for stakeholders in Lagos, Etiosa Uyigue, National Coordinator Nigeria Sustainable Cooling Project, told NATIONAL ECONOMY that phasing out inefficient products is a gradual process that will remove outdated appliances from the market as newer, compliant models meet the required standards.
He stated that inefficient refrigerants with high global warming potential will also be replaced over time as regulations tighten.
He further explained that to measure the energy efficiency of air conditioners, two key metrics are used: the seasonal efficiency ratio and the energy efficiency ratio. These benchmarks will guide manufacturers in proper product labelling and help consumers make informed choices.
Uyigue called for collective efforts to tackle greenhouse gas emissions and urged Nigerians to adopt more sustainable measures to protect the environment for future generations.
It is instructive to note that the new standards aim to save 11.5 TWh of energy annually by 2040 and reduce CO₂ emissions by 39 million tonnes over the next 15 years.
Abdullahi Mustapha, Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), says that enforcing these new standards would benefit the economy and the environment.
Mustapha highlighted that adopting energy-efficient appliances would save energy for individuals and reduce national energy demand and this in turn, would improve energy access for Nigerians and align with climate targets.
Nigeria is driving the project in collaboration between the ECN and the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) United for Efficiency (U4E) team.
The new standards align with international best practices and will ensure that Nigeria adopts modern appliances that use electricity efficiently.
Since 2022, Nigeria has worked to accelerate using energy-efficient air conditioners and climate-friendly refrigerants in homes, businesses, and public buildings. This initiative supports Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.
It is also interesting to note that federal government’s approval and enforcement of the new MEPS for air conditioners mark a significant milestone in the nation’s pursuit of energy efficiency and sustainability.
These standards are poised to drive significant economic and environmental benefits, including substantial energy savings, reduced electricity demand, and expanded energy access for millions of Nigerians.
The ECN, also underscores the importance and crucial need for awareness and collaboration among key stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, manufacturers, and importers of air conditioning units.
This has been seen in many workshops hosted by the Commission to encourage discussions on a sustainable Waste Management Mechanism for air conditioners and domestic refrigerators, strongly focusing on refrigerant management and safe disposal strategies.
Key objectives of the ongoing workshops include showcasing the project’s achievements and impact since inception, presenting the details and implementation framework of the newly approved AC MEPS, and proposing a comprehensive waste management strategy for air conditioners and domestic refrigerators in Nigeria.
The Clean Cooling Collaborative’s financial support and the United Nations Environment Programme’s technical expertise have largely promoted a nationwide awareness campaign.
Key partners, including the National Ozone Office of the Federal Ministry of Environment, has also made invaluable contributions.
Back in November 2024, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Environment, organized training for technicians in the cooling sector on the proper end-of-life management of air conditioners (ACs) and refrigerants in Nigeria.
During the training, stakeholders highlighted the increasing need to replace outdated ACs with more efficient models due to technological advancements.
The technicians were informed that these units of air conditioning systems contain refrigerants mostly Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)—that deplete the ozone layer.
Additionally, they contain materials like oils, which can be toxic and harmful to human health and the environment if mishandled and as such proper disposal of old air conditioners is therefore essential for environmental protection and public health.
The effective management of end-of-life equipment and e-waste offers significant environmental benefits, including ozone layer protection and climate change mitigation. This ensures a reduction in the environmental impact of hazardous waste and contributes to maintaining a healthy environment.
The workshop, supported by ECN, UNEP, and the CCC, was designed to equip technicians with the skills to manage outdated ACs sustainably.
The training aims to strengthen stakeholders’ capacity to mitigate the health and environmental risks of improper AC disposal.
The same conversation continued in June this year when the Commission stepped up efforts to promote the initiative in line with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions.
The Commission, assembled key stakeholders to a technical session in Lagos which focused on enhancing stakeholder capacity to comply with the newly approved Minimum Energy Performance Standards for air conditioners nationwide.
The Director-General (DG) of the Commission, Mustapha Abdullahi, speaking at the event titled ‘Scaling Up Energy-Efficient and Climate-Friendly Cooling in Nigeria NDC Review’ explained that it was being executed with technical assistance from the United Nations Environment Programme and funding from the Clean Cooling Collaborative.
Represented by the Acting Director and ECN’s Head of Energy Transition Unit, Shehu Mustapha, the DG, noted that the main objective of the project was 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 our National Determined Contributions in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.
“This is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on enhancing efficiency and fostering the development of renewable energy sources. One of the key outcomes of the project was the review of the minimum energy performance standards for air conditioners.
“The Technical Committee meeting to review the draft MEPS was held in June 2024, and the standards had since been approved by the Federal Government, so it is necessary to communicate the contents of the new standards to all relevant stakeholders, including end-users of air conditioners. Among these stakeholders are manufacturers, importers, and distributors, who play a critical role in bringing the product to the market. To promote compliance with the newly approved MEPS, it is essential to build the capacity of these critical stakeholders,” he stressed.
An engineer and head of electrical standards at the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Lawal Ismaila, in his submission, noted that SON developed a standard in compliance with international bodies such as ISO and IEC in order to improve efficiency by phasing out all the dangerous gases and those dangerous refrigerants in the environment.
He said, “There is a need for us to domesticate this standard and create awareness for manufacturers, importers, users and all of us to be very much aware of the dangers inherent in the old air conditioners which have to do with dangerous gases. Apart from this, old air conditioners consume so much power, while the new ones consume much less power and are more efficient, provide more cooling, and are, of course, environmentally friendly.
“In the course of developing the standard, we engaged members of the Nigerian Association of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Practitioners as part of the stakeholders before coming up with the MEPS, which centres on energy management and environmental protection.”
The National Coordinator, Nigeria Sustainable Cooling Project, United Nations Environment Programme, Etiosa Uyigue, while assessing the project overview, noted that the project under the Abating Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Obsolete RAC Equipment in West Africa, otherwise called the AGORA project, is going to be referenced to the standards that have been put in place.
He said, “Essentially, we have not done a precise standard for refrigerators yet, but it’s likely going to be that the AGORA project will focus more on the air conditioners than the refrigerators. We already have a revised standard for that. So, beyond that, we are talking about the architect’s ban on the use of pollution and air conditioning. We have to stop it, but the policy we have on that allows you to bring in used air conditioners. And this is not an architect ban yet. But we are also working towards putting an architect’s ban on the use of used air conditioners and refrigerators.
“The AGORA project will also be looking at what to do with these used air conditioners, these air conditioners, which are nice and smart. You know, people just go and dump them somewhere. Maybe in the efficient solution, but leave them there. So, it’s also looking at recycling of those products. So, that’s part of what the AGORA project will also be addressing.”
Also, the Executive Director, SRADev Nigeria, Leslie Adogame, noted that for a country like Nigeria that suffers from energy poverty to a large extent, we need to key into what we call efficient means of energy supply.
“We are a nation trying to move towards net zero, which covers every component of equipment as far as energy supply is concerned. The workshop is very key and timely because we are in an era where there’s a kind of synergy happening towards the sector of air conditioners and refrigerators.
The MEPs is to put in place a standard which says if any importer is going to bring in any air conditioner into this country, it must meet the standard specified in terms of both energy consumption and also in terms of environmental friendliness.”
