Development of Minimum Energy Performance
Standards (MEPS) for Key Household Appliances
Lead Agency:
Ministry of Energy and Public
Utilities
Rationale:
•
A very large portion of electricity
consumption in the domestic sector is in electrical appliances.
Appliances such as refrigerators and freezers, air conditioners,
dishwashers, clothes washers and ovens and stoves are rapidly
gaining in popularity in middle-income households and are
replacing older and smaller units. Since there are no efficiency
standards and no energy labelling requirements for such
appliances, most consumers are not informed about the energy
efficiency characteristics of appliances and therefore cannot
make decisions to purchase more efficient and cost-effective
appliances.
•
Also, the lack of standards and labelling
had led to the importation of a large number of inefficient
appliances in Mauritius. Many appliances currently being
sold in Mauritius are of low quality and are inefficient
in terms of energy consumption. On a life cycle basis, such
appliances usually cost more to the owner than efficient
appliances that may be more costly at the time of purchase
but less costly in terms of electricity consumption over
the life span. In addition, inefficient appliances contribute
to higher electric load growth and increased carbon emissions.
There is therefore a pressing need to eliminate low quality
appliances from the market imported in Mauritius and transform
the appliance market in Mauritius towards efficient appliances.
Progress:
A study has been carried out to analyze the relevance of
adopting one existing labelling system in Mauritius, with
any appropriate customization. It has been explained that
it would not be possible to develop specific Mauritian standards
and MEPS because of the size of the market. The adoption
of EU standards is being contemplated.
Draft standards have been prepared by MSB
for electrical appliances such as air-conditioners, refrigerators
and washing machines.
Benefits to be derived:
The enforcement of minimum energy performance standards
(MEPS) will eliminate the low-efficiency, substandard appliances.
The implementation of a labelling scheme will allow consumers
to make their choice of appliance- based on the level of
efficiency and hence reduce their electricity consumption.
Phasing out of Incandescent Lamps in households
Lead Agency:
Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities
Rationale:
The use of incandescent lamps
is widespread in the country, due essentially to its relatively
low price compared to energy efficient lamps and its easy
availability. However, such lamps are very inefficient and
represent a significant load on the CEB electricity grid.
In this respect, Government initiated measures to promote
the use of energy efficient lamps in the country with the
ultimate aim of phasing out the use of incandescent lamps.
Progress:
In this respect, the Central Electricity Board, with the
collaboration of the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities
and MIDF, successfully initiated a project in 2008 whereby
1 million CFLs were sold to domestic customers at a subsidized
price of Rs 40 for 3 lamps. A reduction of some 14MW in
the evening peak has been noted by the CEB on account of
the use of these energy efficient lamps. The project has
also helped to raise awareness on energy saving at national
level.
Benefits to be derived:
The benefit of using energy efficient lamps is twofold,
namely reducing the electricity bill of the consumer and
reducing the energy demand on the CEB grid.