Sustainable Development in Household



Sustainable Development at household level


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.

Photo gallery Opening ceremony of consultative WG 
14 June 2011
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