NERC, SON May Ban Importation of High Energy Appliances

Chineme Okafor in Abuja

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is considering a ban on importation of electrical appliances that consume huge volumes of electricity into the country, the agency’s acting head, Dr. Anthony Akah has said.
Akah said in an interview with THISDAY in Abuja said that the commission was working with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to identify and label electrical appliances that are either manufactured or imported into the country to enable consumers pick the energy-efficient ones.

He said other agencies of government which NERC had also approached to get their backing on the new effort include the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Rural Electrification Agency (REA), National Orientation Agency (NOA) and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESRA).
He also explained that the partnership will see NERC driving a new programme to optimise energy usage in government offices and buildings using demand side management measures.

“At NERC, we have done a lot, including developing an energy efficiency framework, partnership with SON on a proposed energy efficiency rating labelling for all electrical appliances and equipment manufactured or imported into the country so that consumers can make informed choices and get value for money,” said Akah.
He added: “Above all, we plan to get the support of other government institutions to ban the importation and manufacturing of such high energy consuming electrical appliances and equipment.

“Empirical evidence has shown that a well-articulated and implemented energy efficiency program do reduce electricity bill by at least 30 per cent.”

“This translates to an increase in electricity access by almost the same rate. It is a waste of money and less effective if each government agency continues to embark on demand side management on its own,” he explained.
Speaking on its partnership with the various government agencies, Akah said: “The Commission’s partnership with the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Rural Electrification Agency (REA), National Orientation Agency (NOA) and NESRA is aimed at building an inter-agency energy efficiency implementation committee that would harmonise the various institutions’ programs on optimising energy usage so that the country can have a more robust program using demand side management.”