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Energy Commission to introduce
efficiency labels
Accra, June 25, Ghanadot/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.
GNA
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