In South Africa, televisions are one of the most common appliances – research shows that 92% of households own at least one TV. To increase TV efficiency levels, the government invites industry stakeholders to participate in the development of new standards.

Seeking industy input on new TV standards 

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has mandated the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) to implement the national Energy Efficiency Appliance Standards and Labelling (S&L) Programme. SANEDI invites stakeholders, including TV manufacturers, assemblers, and distributors, to participate in upcoming engagements to support the development of new standards. CLASP acts as a technical partner to SANEDI on the development of MEPS.

The standards aim to improve the energy performance of televisions manufactured and imported into South Africa and provide an energy efficiency label to guide consumer buying choices. Taken together, these efforts will mitigate further strain on the national grid during the ongoing energy crisis. Lower appliance energy consumption reduces electricity costs and greenhouse gas emissions in line with South Africa’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and industry sustainability goals.

TVs require larger energy inputs

Research on residential electricity consumption in South Africa conducted in 2021 shows that 92% of households have one television, while 36% have two or more. Most households (60%) use their TVs for more than 4 hours a day.

TVs are using an increasingly larger share of electrical power. A recent report estimated TVs will use an additional 1.23 TWh in 2021 compared to 2017. The TV market is projected to grow to approximately 28.4 million units by 2032; increasing TV screen size also results in greater unit power consumption.

The global television industry is implementing new technological innovations that require greater TV energy consumption, like the switch from analogue to digital for high-definition broadcasts and screens. High-definition requires more power than standard-definition tuners and screens, irrespective of the processing signal.

Energy standards and labelling are an essential policy instrument

Minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) and energy labelling are among the most effective policy tools to promote energy efficiency in electricity-powered appliances. If the MEPS are adopted, South Africa will save 2.6 TWh of energy and 1.97 MT CO2 by 2030.

Stakeholder consultation is required in the development of any proposed legislation. SANEDI invites industry stakeholders to participate in activities to inform the development of proposed performance standards and an energy label for televisions.

Please contact SANEDI’s Programme Manager for Energy Efficiency Appliance Standards and Labelling- Ms. Ashanti Mbanga, to be added to the outreach database or to clarify any information shared in this release at AshantiM@sanedi.org.za.

About the Standards & Labelling Programme

The Programme has been in place for large residential appliances since 2015. Its success has resulted in an expansion of products with the support of CLASP, which includes the development of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and an energy efficiency label for televisions in South Africa. Learn more at www.savingenergy.org.za.