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National Efficiency Program Launched in Nigeria
 In May 2011, the United Nations Development Programme and the Global Environment Facility in collaboration with the Energy Commission of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Centre for Energy Efficiency and Conservation launched a project in Nigeria entitled “Promoting Energy Efficiency in Residential and Public sector in Nigeria”. The overall objective of the project is to improve the energy efficiency of appliances through policy and legislative mechanisms and a demand-side management program. This will lead to a reduction in energy demand to address the energy crisis in Nigeria and, at the same time, mitigate the emission of greenhouse gases.
The project will set minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for appliances including lighting, refrigerators and air conditioners. It will assist in the enforcement of energy efficiency regulations and will include the establishment of two testing centers in the country. Furthermore, the project is designed to create awareness to change end user behaviour and inlcudes a pilot program to replace one million incandescent lamps with energy saving compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).
Since the implementation phase began in September 2011, several training and awareness sessions have been held. Over 40 media personnel from across Nigeria were trained to cover and disseminated information about energy efficiency issues to the mass public.
Recognizing the importance of the hospitality industry to the energy sector, the Project Team also organized a Hotel Owners Forum in the national capital of Abuja. The workshop served to promote a culture of energy conservation and attracted over 100 participants including hotel owners and managers.
To launch the initiative, the first National Energy Efficiency Day in Nigeria was organized with over 150 participants from government ministries, NGOs, the private sector, media organizations, diplomatic communities and international organizations. Handbills, posters and T-shirts were printed and given to participants and a rally and road show was held on the major streets of Abuja. National Energy Efficiency Day will now become an annual event in Nigeria.
Over the next year, a study will be conducted to determine actual energy consumption and the level of efficiency of lighting, refrigerators, and air conditioners. The results of which will be used to guide the country on establishing MEPS. Additionally, energy efficiency training will be extended to key federal policy makers, members of the National Assembly, architects and building engineers, NGOs and manufacturers. Print and electronic media will be used to disseminate information on the project and it is projected that by the program’s third year mark, a culture of energy efficiency will be established in Nigeria.
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