CLASP Leads Kenya Government Agencies on Study Tour of India Cooling Efficiency Programs

In an effort to promote international best practices and collaborative policy development, CLASP led officials from Kenyan government institutions on a 5-day study tour to New Delhi, India.

Hannah Blair

In an effort to promote international best practices and collaborative policy development, CLASP led officials from Kenyan government institutions on a 5-day study tour to New Delhi, India. The Kenyan delegation took home lessons from a highly successful and well-established energy efficiency program.

Collaborative Cooling Policy Development

The study tour was conducted under the Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program (K-CEP), a facility that provides funding and guidance to support efforts to scale up the development and implementation of efficient, climate-friendly cooling solutions in developing countries. The tour was designed to enhance the capacity of local partners and program implementers, including Kenyan representatives from the Ministry of Energy, Kenya Industrial Research Development Institute, Kenya Bureau of Standards, Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authorities, and the National Environment Management Authority.

Participants at an AC appliance test laboratory

Since 2018, CLASP has worked with the Kenyan government to revise and implement minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for room air conditioners (RACs) and refrigerators to increase required efficiency levels. The revised RAC MEPS increased required efficiency levels for products by 11% and eliminated 73% of models on the market. The RAC market in Kenya is entirely import-based, with India acting as the second largest exporters of cooling appliances (after China). To meet the new MEPS, distributors must source more energy-efficient products.

The RAC MEPS are one step in Kenya’s larger effort to scale up energy efficiency as a member of the Three Percent Club. The Three Percent Club is a Coalition of 15 governments – including Kenya and India—working together to drive a 3% annual improvement rate in global energy intensity. Although one market is considerably smaller (Kenya) and the other is a major world cooling appliance exporter (India), synchronizing efficient cooling policies will be beneficial to consumers in both countries by increasing product quality and efficiency.

The Study Tour

With the new energy efficiency policies in Kenya, the tour was an opportunity for delegates to gain deep insight into India’s design and implementation of the well-established policy process. Through the tour, delegates learned about roles and responsibilities of each actor, as well as the physical and institutional infrastructure required to facilitate implementation of the program.

The group first visited an appliance testing laboratory to tour the facilities and explore potential opportunities for collaboration with Kenyan regulators. Manufacturers and distributors hoping to sell products in markets with MEPS must first verify product performance through independent testing. With robust experience already testing products for the Indian market, the lab could act as a partner to test products intended for the Kenyan market.

Opportunities for Collaboration

Next, delegates visited an AC manufacturing facility to discuss the impact of the cooling efficiency program on manufacturers. Without MEPS, manufacturers with high performing products must compete with lower efficiency products, products that are often sold for a similar or lower price. Manufacturers noted that with the revised MEPS, re-launching products in a more regulated market offers a level playing field where higher efficiency units can compete fairly with other brands.

“Following the study visit to India, KIRDI’s position will be greatly improved especially in areas of standard and labelling with respect to the promotion of minimum energy performance on appliances.”

– Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) Participant

Participants at the appliance test lab

The group also met with the Indian Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to discuss the India appliance cooling efficiency program and potential collaboration between Kenya and India. With similar consumer demographics and many product manufacturers based in India, a close relationship between the two countries’ regulators will benefit both appliance markets in the long-term.

Since 2017, CLASP has supported the development of Kenyan cooling efficiency policies through K-CEP. Under the grant, CLASP is strengthening the implementation of the newly adopted MEPS and labelling program. Additionally, CLASP is collaborating with EPRA on a consumer awareness campaign on the new Kenya refrigerator efficiency label and is working closely with government agencies to develop a National Cooling Action Plan.

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