- The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) aims to boost electricity availability and reduce carbon emissions by promoting energy.
- Initiatives include encouraging behavioural changes, phasing out inefficient air conditioners, and transitioning to eco-friendly refrigerants to enhance energy conservation nationwide.
The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) is implementing strategies to increase electricity availability in the national grid through enhanced energy efficiency. As part of its national energy policy coordination mandate, ECN aims to reduce carbon emissions from cooling systems, responsible for approximately 40% of household electricity consumption.
In an interview with The Nation in Abuja, ECN officials, including Acting Director Dr Shehu Mustapha and Nigeria Sustainable Cooling Project Coordinator Mr Etiosa Uyigue, emphasised the importance of behavioural changes in conserving energy within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). They highlighted that simple adjustments, such as switching to lower-wattage bulbs, can significantly decrease energy use in household lighting.
Mustapha stated, “We need to communicate these changes to the public. Many people don’t realise that small behavioural shifts can lead to substantial energy savings.” He added that reducing electricity consumption can ultimately lead to greater access for more people, addressing current load-shedding issues caused by insufficient generation capacity.
For example, replacing one million bulbs with 10-watt alternatives could save up to 90 megawatts of electricity. Mustapha also encouraged the Federal Government to adopt energy-efficient, environmentally friendly air conditioning units.
Through the “Scaling Up Energy Efficiency and Climate Friendly Cooling” project, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), ECN has found that air conditioners and refrigerators account for 40% of household energy use and 60% of office energy use.
ECN plans to phase out outdated air conditioners and promote more efficient models to combat the environmental impact of inefficient cooling systems. Since cooling systems contribute to 60% of carbon dioxide emissions, the commission also focuses on regulating the types of cooling systems entering the Nigerian market.
This includes transitioning from harmful refrigerants like R22 to eco-friendly options such as R66 by introducing Minimum Energy Performance Standards.