The approval was made during the Awareness Raising/Dissemination Workshop organised by Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADEV) in Abuja.
The participants noted that the adoption would lead to energy conservation, as Nigerians had faced all levels of exploitation in the nation’s energy resources management.
SON representative, Ismaila Lawal, said the MEPS for lighting will contribute to the phasing out of the least efficient lamps and toxic containing lamps in the market by setting the minimum levels of energy efficiency that a lamp in each given class must meet before it can be sold in the market. “When effectively implemented, MEPS for lighting, in conjunction with supporting policies will reduce power demand on the grid, reduce energy cost, and protect the environment,” he said.
Also, Prof. Babajide Alo of University of Lagos commended the stakeholders for their doggedness in eliminating mercury bulbs, adding that MEPS compliance will promote energy efficiency and non-toxic lighting.
SRADEV Executive Director, Dr. Lesilie Adogame, said Nigeria will promote the development and adoption of energy efficient methods, stressing the need for effective use of MEPS in major areas to enable energy conservation.
Adogame cited residential sector, industry, transportation, services/ commercial sector, agriculture, and energy efficient building designs, saying these are highlighted strategies to achieve energy efficiency, as contained in NEP 2013, which are energy saving lamps.
He observed, “Achieving this, the establishment of a broad range of equipment energy efficiency standards and labeling by 2025, would reduce energy-related greenhouse gas emissions by 15 per cent compared to the level of it ten years ago in Nigeria.”
“In seven years’ time, well-organised lighting will be used by almost 100 per cent of the households. For high-energy consuming sectors like transport, power and industrial, efficient power will increase by at least 50 per cent compared to the baseline,” he added.
Similarly, Olakunle Owoeye of CLASP highlighted commitments by the Federal Ministry of Environment to phase out mercury-containing lamps as contained in the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
He hoped that a technical committee will be convened to review and adopt the standards, focusing on aspects such as applicable voltage range, power type, standards tolerance, and the need for related standards updates and gazetted.
Speaking on “The Importance of Product Testing in Monitoring, Verification and Enforcement System,” Steve Coyne said the compliance with energy efficient lighting regulation will benefit consumers, government, industries and lighting manufacturers/suppliers.
In relation to compliance at the national level, Coyne said: “20 per cent of the regulated population will automatically comply with any regulation, 5 per cent will attempt to evade it, and the remaining 75 per cent will comply, while 5 per cent will be caught and punished.”
Another speaker, Monica Wambui of Climate Africa, cited countries that are focusing on energy efficiency like, United States, United Kingdom and European Union, calling for implementation of MEPS compliance by phasing out mercury lighting in developing countries.
“There are no domestic manufacturers of lighting/Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) in the country, only importers and traders whose products are assembled from foreign countries such as China were identified.”
“According to MAN, a few lighting member companies exist. Out of the 12 identified companies; four are currently into importation, and they do not have the capacity to locally produce in the country, while others are not in business anymore.”
