SON MEPS Minimize Energy Consumption
SON
By Okezie Nnadi
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in collaboration with Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental
Development (SRAD eV Nigeria) on behalf of CLASP USA has launched the first of its kind inception workshop on MInimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) to eradicate energy consumption in Nigeria. The event took place at Ibis Hotel in Ikeja Lagos State.
The Director-General/ Chief Executive of SON Mallam Farouk Salim expressed gratitude in his keynote address to the experts, professionals, various stakeholders present for the formulation and development of an important draft performance standard on the lighting products.
The Director General was represented by Deputy Director Head Electrical and Electronic laboratory Engr Alewu . He outlined the benefits in respect to cost in using only complying lighting products, which will in the long run phase out products containing environmental dangerous materials like Mercury.
Salim emphasised that Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) for lighting will therefore help as it will also play crucial roles in reducing energy consumption, as it has sets the benchmark for the energy efficiency of lighting products which will help drive the market towards more sustainable solutions.
The SON helmsman acknowledged the efforts of CLASP for rendering technical supports in the areas of standards and manpower development designed to sustain a clean and efficient energy compliant to the environment and assured all present at the event of continous collaboration in the implementation of the standard.
Deputy Director Head Electrical and Electronic laboratory Engr Alewu Achema opined that the workshop being the first of its kind is a great milestone achievement for the organisation as it steers the lighting industry which no one can do without away from hazardous substances to more cleaner and efficient energy generation which will not only be economical but environmentally friendly.
During the event there were series of good will messages from parastatals among which were Federal Ministry of Industry trade and investment, Ministry of Environment, Nigerian Customs Service, representative from CLASP and SRAD eV Nigeria to mention but a few.
There were also a lots of paper presentation , Mr Colin Taylor of CLASP USA and Mr okakunle on the cost ramifications of adopting led lighting system as opposed to the Mercury ones in use.
