Energy savings via air-con harmonisation

The report was presented at the launch of “Asean SHINE”, an energy-efficiency promotion programme co-funded to the tune of 80 per cent (Bt72 million) by the European Union and managed by the ICASEA.

The four-year project aims to elevate product performance in household appliances and harmonise energy-efficiency standards.

John Schonenberger, CEO of the European Copper Institute, said Asean is one of the world’s fastest-growing markets, with a combined gross domestic product rising by more than 5 per cent per year, according to the International Energy Agency. 

This rapid economic expansion highlights the pressing need to tap into the benefits that energy efficiency will provide in ensuring both energy security and long-term, sustainable growth across the region, he said, adding that successful implementation of Asean SHINE realises higher market penetration of high energy-efficiency products.

Attila Nyitrai, minister-counsellor and deputy head of the European Union delegation in Bangkok, said wider awareness and adoption of energy-efficiency practices among manufacturers and consumers opened unlimited opportunities for European or foreign investors. 

The high adoption of high-efficiency products raises credibility for the region and makes it more attractive to overseas brands, he said.

The Asean SHINE programme matches the goals of the upcoming Asean Economic Community (AEC) to transform Asean into a trade community with free movement of goods and a strong foundation for knowledge transfer, especially in industries relating 

to energy efficiency.

Energy-efficiency standards governing the rating of household air-conditioners and refrigerators vary from country to country in Asean. These standards are important guides to supply-chain management and consumer purchasing decisions, said Nyitrai.

The AEC intends to deepen and broaden economic integration in the region to make Asean more dynamic and competitive. As product standards, quality assurance, accreditation and measurement are crucial in promoting energy efficiency, the harmonisation of energy standards for household appliances falls within AEC parameters.

Hardiv Harris Situmeang, executive director of the Asean Centre for Energy, said that based on the studies made, a successful harmonisation of energy-efficiency standards across the region would have positive effects in boosting regional trade by as much as 4.55 per cent.

“Having a harmonised testing and labelling standard will solve this problem. The same model can be sold in multiple countries, which is much more cost-efficient for the manufacturer. And on the other hand, consumers will benefit from the harmonisation, as it will clear the confusion regarding different labelling standards in the region,” he said.

Industry experts recognise the potential of harmonisation in encouraging intra-regional trade. Manufacturers will get a wider access to market as energy ratings would no longer be a constraint to trade, he added.

The market study discovered large potential savings to be reaped from the harmonisation of air-conditioner energy-efficiency standards within the region.

Twarath Sutabutr, deputy director-general of the Energy Ministry’s Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency Department, said the indicative potential for total energy savings per annum was estimated to be 5,373 gigawatt hours, which translated into Bt21.5 billion – an amount that can relieve energy woes in growing markets such as Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia.

“Harmonising energy standards reaps huge savings and reduces greenhouse-gas emissions. In the EU context, air-conditioners – with an energy-efficiency ratio of 3.2 and above – are considered most energy-efficient. The higher the ratio, the lower the greenhouse gas emitted and the lower it costs to operate in the long run,” he added.