ZERA to reduce electricity consumption

THE Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) is consulting consumers, policymakers and electric appliance retailers on minimum energy standards for electrical appliances that should be sold on the local market.

This comes as ZERA is intensifying efforts to do away with lights and electrical appliances that use a lot of electricity.

Already, Statutory Instrument 21 of 2017 bans the trade, manufacture and use of inefficient incandescent bulbs, in favour of energy saving bulbs.

The law came into force on May 1, 2017.

ZERA is working on ensuring that the law encompasses the manufacture and importation of energy inefficient electrical appliances.

In a statement yesterday ZERA said it was “carrying out consultations with consumers, policy makers, and electrical appliance retailers on the development of minimum energy performance standards for electrical appliances.

“The draft regulations, which are meant to phase out the importation and manufacture of inefficient electrical appliances, are being developed and will be promulgated after consultations with all key stakeholders across the country.

“The minimum energy performance standards, when developed, will provide for restrictions on manufacturing, importation and sale of such inefficient electrical appliances in Zimbabwe,” said ZERA.

The measures are not unique to Zimbabwe as they are common across the world.

The proposed standards are not going to ban the usage of appliances that consumers currently have, but, if approved, will prohibit the manufacture, importation and sale of inefficient appliances which do not conform to the approved rating or minimum energy performance standards in the country.

ZERA has previously said the use of energy saver bulbs will result in the power utility saving close to 200 megawatts.