Production and distribution of energy is expensive, making the overall product costly for domestic, commercial, industrial, and institutional users. It is imperative that energy purchased is channeled into productive use. Energy efficiency is vital in ensuring that avoidable energy losses during the production of goods and services are minimized. Through this, energy users can save money, which they can use to purchase other commodities, leading to increased production and consumption in the economy.
The Energy Act 2019 gives EPRA the mandate to spearhead energy efficiency in the country. EPRA undertakes this duty through various tools, including the development and enforcement of regulations, assistance in developing standards, codes, rules, and guidelines, capacity building, technical support to state and non-state agencies, and public awareness creation.
Currently, EPRA enforces energy efficiency using two key regulatory tools: the Energy (Energy Management) Regulations 2025— which repealed and replaced the Energy (Energy Management) Regulations 2012— and the Energy (Appliances’ Energy Performance and Labeling) Regulations 2016. The former regulates energy efficiency in designated industrial, institutional, and commercial facilities, while the latter mandates the testing and labeling of specified appliances to meet minimum energy performance standards.
To enhance energy efficiency in designated facilities, EPRA licenses energy auditors and energy audit firms, with qualification requirements outlined in the Energy (Energy Management) Regulations 2025.
For appliance labeling, EPRA employs a five-star labeling scheme, where the most efficient appliances receive five stars, and the least efficient receive one star. Consumers can make informed purchasing decisions based on this system. Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) guide the testing and labeling of appliances as stipulated in the Appliance Energy Performance and Labeling Regulations for each product category. EPRA plans to expand the list of regulated appliances by developing additional MEPS, ensuring that only energy-efficient products are available to consumers.
