Energy Commission launches refrigerator exchange scheme

A total of 2,100 old refrigerators have been exchanged for new ones under the Government’s pilot Refrigerator Rebate and Exchange Scheme.

The scheme was launched in September last year in Accra and Tema to ensure that Ghanaians replace old power-consuming refrigerators with new energy efficient ones.

Dr Alfred Ofosu-Ahenkorah, Executive Secretary, Energy Commission, made this known at a press conference to announce the nationwide launch of the rebate scheme in Accra on Wednesday.

He said the new refrigerators the Commission is promoting could consume less than 500 KWh per year and could reduce the refrigerator’s contribution to household electricity consumption to just 16 per cent.

“In meeting our target of selling 50,000 units of refrigerators, this number alone can save an estimated 35 million units of electricity,” Dr Ofosu-Ahenkorah added.

The scheme dubbed: “Promoting Energy Efficient Appliance and Transformation of Refrigerating Appliance Market in Ghana” aims to improve the energy efficiency of appliance.

It will provide funds to finance the rebates for the purchase of 50,000 new energy efficient refrigerators, after the old operational refrigerator appliance have been surrendered at participating retail shops.

The project is to establish an energy labeling system, set up and implement a Minimum Energy Performance Standards and push efficiency levels beyond the mandatory standard through a consumer rebate, turn-in and incentive programme.

Dr Ofosu-Ahenkorah said government was providing funds to make the acquisition of the refrigerators affordable.

The Executive Secretary said an inefficient refrigerator could drain close to 1,200 KWh or 40 per cent of the total household energy, costing about GH¢216.

Dr Ofosu Ahenkorah said the savings to be made from the use of energy efficient refrigerators could reduce the country’s electricity consumption.

He said in September last year the Commission launched the pilot phase of the scheme, which was operated within Accra and its environs.

He said all refrigerators from the rebate scheme were sent to the City Waste Company Limited for proper disposal.

Dr Ofosu-Ahenkorah encouraged households to participate in the scheme and urged people to visit participating shops in their vicinity.

He commended the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) and the Global Environmental Facility for supporting the implementation of the project.

Participating shops in the rebate scheme include Appliance Masters, SOMOVISION, MELCOM and ROWI while ECOBANK is partnering the scheme through affordable loans.

Nana Asare, Executive Director of Energy Foundation, appealed to the media to educate the public on the benefits of the rebate scheme.