Leapfrogging to energy efficient mechanisms in Southern Africa

Electrification rate in Botswana is among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa with 66% of the population having access to electricity and 77% in urban areas. Strategic frameworks support for Botswana through CTCN and UNEP (BWA-RS-002) created an enabling policy and regulatory environment for refrigerators and distribution transformers to support market transformation, This project greatly reduced strain on the electricity grid, increasing disposable income for households and reducing GHG emissions. There was an impactful contribution to Botswana’s programming process by finding appropriate climate technology solutions identified and prioritised in accordance with national strategies and plans for climate adaptation and mitigation. UNEP-CTCN in collaboration with GCF helped transform Botswana’s electricity generation. The adoption of the proposed MEPS (Minimum Energy Performance Standards) for distribution transformers would lead to cumulative energy savings of 1,025 GWh up to 2040 while cumulative energy savings under the MEPS for refrigerating appliances from 2022 to 2030 were estimated to be 407 GWh.

Lesotho has about 33.7% of the population having access to electricity and 54% energy consumed is imported from South Africa (ESKOM). Electrification is a priority for the Government and demand for domestic refrigerators has increased rapidly, and accounts for over 30% of domestic electricity consumption. Strategic frameworks support for Lesotho through CTCN and UNEP (LSO-RS-002) through notification of MEPS (Minimum Energy Performance Standards) and labelling scheme created an enabling policy and regulatory environment for refrigerators and distribution transformers to support market transformation. The project successfully reduced strain on the electricity grid and ability to extend the electricity grid, increase disposable income for households, contributing towards achievement of the NDC targets reduce unconditionally 10% of its GHG emissions by 2030. The new power plants being built have a projection of increasing the capacity and will extensively drop the energy imports in Lesotho to around 46% by 2030.

The Government of Malawi has made electrification a priority as on 12.7% of the population have access to electricity. The demand for domestic refrigerators is increasing rapidly, and accounts for over 30% of domestic electricity consumption. Malawi’s total installed capacity is about 302 megawatts, of which 94% is generated by hydropower and the remaining 6% is thermal. Strategic frameworks support for Malawi through CTCN and UNEP (MWI-RS-002) iterates the adoption of refrigeration and transformers would lead to reduction in the GHG emissions and contribute towards achievement of the NDC targets. The main key deliverables produced from this project included, the adoption of mandatory Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), as well as adoption of High Energy Performance Standards (HEPS) and labelling scheme, the design of consumer awareness campaigns, and capacity building on finance mechanisms.