East Africa

United for Efficiency supports East African Community (EAC) member countries to advance policies, strategies and actions for the phase-out of inefficient air conditioners, refrigerators and lighting. Emphasis is on an integrated policy approach so that a transition can be sustained by the regional market without continued external support or resources.

United for Efficiency works closely with the East African Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Efficiency (EACREEE) to coordinate, and maximise the effectiveness of, activities in the region.

Energy-efficient lighting, appliances and equipment could save EAC member countries annually:

ALMOST 4 TWH OF ELECTRICITY
equivalent to 2 power plants (500 MW)

ALMOST 450 MILLION US$
in reduced electricity bills

ALMOST 3 MILLION TONNES OF
CO₂ EMISSIONS, equivalent
to taking over 1.5 million
passenger cars off the road

To see full details of the savings potential of the region as a whole, or details of U4E country-specific projects in the region, click on the relevant link below. Scroll down to see details of the U4E’s regional projects in East Africa.

Regional Savings Potential

Countries

Rwanda

Regional Projects

REGIONAL EAC-SADC PROJECT ON ENERGY EFFICIENT COOLING APPLIANCES

This joint EAC and SADC GCF Readiness Programme-funded project aims to develop a policy framework for energy-efficient and climate friendly refrigerators and air conditioners, with the ultimate goal to implement minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) and labelling for these products in both regions. Transitioning to energy efficient air conditioners and refrigerators will result in an enormous reduction in the electricity demand in EAC and SADC, and working closely with the East African Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Efficiency (EACREEE) and SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) on the project will multiply the effect on the ground through a broader regional collaboration.

Main Components

Conduct a regional market assessment covering the 21 countries in the two regions
Engage with technical committee and organize technical committee meetings
Develop technical notes on refrigerating appliances and air conditioners
Develop draft standards for MEPS and labels
Provide technical assistance on implementation by subset of countries

Partner Organisations