Fozia Azam

The Pakistani government’s initiative to ban the manufacture and marketing of traditional and high electricity consumption fans is expected to help save 8,000MWs and Rs700 billion annually, said Sabeih Haideri, Director of Strategy Management Office, National Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (NEECA), while talking to WealthPK.

‘’The NEECA has recommended Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) to the Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority that has incorporated these MEPS into its Pakistan Standard for fan manufacture. Moreover, the NEECA has formulated regulations, which upon implementation will ensure the manufacture of energy-efficient fans,” he said.

Asked how the Authority was going to replace the existing traditional fans, he said options were being consider and the government was also considering formulating an entire fan replacement program in this regard. As per NEECA, just by turning off unnecessary lights, maintaining AC temperature at 26 and shifting towards energy-efficient appliances can help reduce a household bill by 30 to 40 percent.

As per the revised energy specification, high-energy efficient fans will consume 60 Watts, while the old fans consume 120 to 130 Watts. The initiative will not directly impact the national grid, but at the domestic level, it will help considerably reduce the power bill. It is estimated that a single household can save 130 units a year by shifting to energy-efficient fans, which means reducing the bill by up to Rs3370. The government has also put a framework in place for fan manufactures to play their due role in the energy conservation initiative. Energy-efficient fans will be produced by the manufacturers registered by the government.

The step is aimed at reducing the unnecessary consumption of energy in everyday life. By taking small steps in everyday life, Pakistan can save up to USD1.2 annually. It is worth-mentioning that the energy shortfall has affected the industrial sector productivity and export performance particularly in Pakistan. Currently, the imported furnace oil bill has reached USD29 billion.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk