Energy Commission to introduce efficiency labels

Accra, June 25, GNA - The Energy Commission would soon introduce energy efficiency labels as a guide to determine the efficiency of electrical appliances in the country as regards required standards. The label, which would serve as a guide for consumers especially, would have a five star sign on it to indicate the efficiency of the product.

"Thus the more stars the more efficient the product could be," Minister for Energy, Mr Felix Owusu-Adjapong said on a familiarisation tour of the Energy Commission, National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company (GCMC) in Accra. Mr Ofosu Ahenkorah, Executive Secretary for Energy Commission, said the energy consumption of electrical appliances, particularly refrigerators in Ghana, was enormous compared to other countries in Europe and America.

He said the Commission had developed a refrigeration efficiency rebate scheme for consumers, adding that consumers who bought higher than one star refrigerator would be given a coupon to redeem part of their money from a selected bank.

Mr Ahenkorah said consumers could also trade in their old inefficient refrigerators for coupons that would allow them to purchase an efficient one.

He said old refrigerators that would be collected would be scrapped in line with provisions of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

This is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of a number of substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion.

Other regulations pending include natural gas pipeline regulations; natural gas occupational, health and safety regulations; electrical installation and wiring regulations.

Mr Ahenkorah said the Commission was faced with several challenges such as office accommodation and loss of professional staff and inability to recruit and retain professionals.

Mr Twumasi Ampofo, Deputy Minister for Energy, said the Ministry acknowledged the challenges but they could not be solved overnight. He therefore called on the Commission not to relent in its efforts but endeavour to achieve greater heights.

At the Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company, management reiterated calls against the use of fibre glass cylinder for domestic purposes. Nana Wiafe-Ababio, Chief Executive Officer, said fibre glass cylinders were not safe for use in the country, especially in homes. He said the glass fibre cylinder could only be safe when used outdoors since it was not capable of resisting pressure. Mr Ezekial Mensah, Production Manager of GCMC, explained that with Ghana's climatic conditions, fibre glass cylinders had constraints with regard to health and safety.

He said it could easily catch fire due to the plastic lining outside and could also not go through pneumatic test to determine leakages. "It can also not be refurbished when it is faulty," he added. Mr John Attafuah, Chief Executive Officer of NPA, announced that it had opened a new office in Kumasi. He noted that NPA was faced with the challenge of pricing petroleum products.