SEO Riders:
– Federal government rolls out Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for ACs with phased efficiency targets.
– Initiative to cut electricity use, save households ₦ and reduce CO₂ by 39 Mt by 2040.
– Stakeholder workshops and training to enforce standards, eco-friendly refrigerants, and waste management.
The Nigerian Federal Government, through the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) in partnership with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), UNEP, and the Clean Cooling Collaborative, has formally approved new Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and energy labelling for air conditioners. These standards, aligned with international benchmarks, are being implemented in phases—requiring a 6% efficiency improvement by 2026, 36% by 2029, and 48% by 2031—using Nigeria-specific Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (NSEER) metrics. The ECN projects the initiative will save 11.5 TWh of energy annually by 2040 and reduce CO₂ emissions by 39 million tonnes over 15 years, easing electricity costs and supporting climate goals. To ensure smooth adoption and enforcement, ECN and partners have conducted stakeholder workshops and training sessions aimed at manufacturers, importers, regulators, and waste management agencies.
The program includes building testing capacity at SON, phasing in eco-friendly refrigerants, and planning for an AC and fridge waste-management framework . ECN Director‑General Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi emphasized public awareness and fair implementation, stressing the significance for Nigeria to avoid becoming a “dumping ground” for inefficient, harmful models.
