By Yemi Olakitan
The Centre for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) has said the phase-out of fluorescent lighting by 2025 will save the Federal Government about $2.47 billion.
If Nigeria complies with the United Nations agreement to remove mercury from products and processes, this would be possible.
This information was provided at an introductory training on “Minimum Energy Performance (MEPS) and Labelling for Lighting in Nigeria” by Colin Taylor, Senior Manager, Climate, of the Centre.
According to him, 10,306,161 compact fluorescent light (CFL) sales would need to be stopped and phased out between 2024 and 2050.
Taylor continued by stating that the Linear Fluorescent Lamp (LFL) sales averted and scheduled for phase-out in 2025 are estimated to be worth 31,106,907 lamps, and that the total mercury (kilogramme) in fluorescent lamp avoided (CFL and LFL phase-out, cumulative 2024-2050) is set at 300 kilogrammes.
He pointed out that various exemptions for fluorescent lighting containing mercury are no longer necessary due to the quick development, increased accessibility, and lower cost of mercury-free Light-Emitting Diode (LED) illumination.
The efforts of CLASP in the fields of standards and workforce development meant to sustain a clean and efficient energy source that is environmentally friendly were mentioned by the Director General of the Standards Organization of Nigeria, Farouk Salim, in his remarks.
He said that the discussions would result in a document that could be approved by all parties and be used as the basis for an MEPS on lighting.
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It will serve as a tool to help phase out all products that have been found to contain ecologically hazardous ingredients.
Also, it will provide the timeline for the acceptance of items that adhere to the standards and the rejection and phase-out of all other products that do not.
As it sets the bar for lighting product energy efficiency and steers the market towards more sustainable options, MEPS for lighting will aid in and play vital roles in decreasing energy usage.
Salim continued, “MEPS for lighting plays an important role in encouraging energy efficiency and sustainability in the sector, and it’s directly tied to mitigating the consequences of climate change.
Additionally, a market report case study for lighting in Nigeria conducted by the executive director of SRADEV Nigeria, Dr. Leslie Adogame, revealed that CFLs, which contain mercury, are still in high demand in the Nigerian market. Customs recorded 7,457,254 kg at a cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value of N3, 499,419,973.00 over a five-year period, while the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics recorded 15,708,249.64 kg.
“The strong demand for CFLs at a time when there are no best practises for managing this harmful illumination adds to the nation’s pollution problems.
Therefore, there is an urgent need for ongoing awareness of the advantages of switching to LED lighting and for policy change.
In comparison, the volume of LED lightings reported by the Nigerian Customs Service for these periods totals 2,214,155 kg (at a CIF value of N1,437,587,176) and the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics records 4,380,212.15kg at a customs value of N4,340,619,068 for 8541400000: Photosensitive Semiconductor Devices; Light Emitting Diodes.
Adogame said the phase out of fluorescent lightings would not only allow the country gain the benefits; it also aligns with eight Sustainable Development Goals aimed at ensuring the world is a safe place for everyone to survive.
“In an era of concerted efforts towards climate change, our country should not be left out in the global transition to clean lighting to achieve actions towards climate change and sustainable living,” he said.
The Consultant on MEPS, Owoeye Olakunle, in his remarks said there is an average of 1,935MW maximum demand from installed lighting in Nigeria buildings and MEPS on lighting can save up to 1,032MW of power demand.
Olakunle stated that the MEPS adoption aligns with Nigeria Energy Transition Plan – 2060 carbon neutral goal, climate change Act and Nigeria Energy Plan, adding that such projects will qualify investors for Edge certificate of International Finance Corporation (IFC), green lending programme under the Global Climate Partnership Fund (GCPF) and fiscal incentives such as duty waiver and tax rebates.
