The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), in collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), is scaling up efforts to drive nationwide adoption of energy-efficient cooling systems.
At a one-day stakeholder sensitisation workshop held in Kano, the agencies unveiled Nigeria’s newly approved minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for air conditioners. The event brought together manufacturers, importers, distributors and other key industry players to promote awareness, encourage compliance, and prepare the market for full enforcement of the new standards.
ECN’s director-general, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, represented by Dr. Shehu Mustafa, emphasised that the revised MEPS were developed as part of the Scaling Up Energy-Efficient and Climate-Friendly Cooling project, supported by UNEP and the Clean Cooling Collaborative. He noted that the project is aligned with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the Tinubu administration’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda on clean energy.
“The demand for cooling is growing rapidly due to climate change and economic development,” Abdullahi stated. “But this must not come at the cost of higher emissions or an overstretched power grid.”
Engr. Lawal Ismaila of SON added that the new standards were necessary to phase out older, power-hungry models that emit ozone-depleting substances. “The new air conditioners are designed to use less energy while delivering better performance. This is good for consumers, the environment and the economy.”
The initiative also aims to strengthen coordination between ECN, SON, UNEP and the private sector to build technical capacity, create awareness, and ensure Nigeria meets its global energy and climate obligations.
