A delegation from Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has visited Ghana’s Energy Commission to gain insights into the implementation of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and related energy-efficiency frameworks.
The delegation, made up of officials from EPRA’s Electricity and Renewable Energy Directorate, is studying Ghana’s approach to developing and enforcing energy-efficiency standards and regulatory systems.
During the engagement, officials from both institutions discussed the policies, institutional structures and implementation strategies supporting MEPS in Ghana. Discussions also focused on compliance monitoring, enforcement mechanisms, data management, benchmarking systems and tracking the performance of energy-efficiency programmes.
The two sides also explored the development and implementation of regional and national MEPS initiatives aimed at improving energy efficiency and promoting the use of efficient appliances.
Acting Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, Adwoa Serwaa Bondzie, said Ghana’s energy-efficiency programme dates back to the mid-2000s, beginning with the introduction of standards and labelling requirements for refrigeration appliances before expanding to air conditioners and lighting products.
She highlighted Ghana’s refrigerator rebate and exchange programme as an example of how a combination of regulation, incentives and public awareness can encourage consumers to adopt energy-efficient technologies.
Mad. Bondzie added that the Energy Commission has continued to strengthen its testing, verification and institutional systems to improve compliance and enforcement.
She further noted Ghana’s contribution to harmonising energy-efficiency standards across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region.