Events and Exhibitions
(HPMP). Servicing usage will be the last step in the HPMP, but
the first step in the phase-down of HFCs.”
According to him, the MP has had more impact on mitigating
climate change than any other agreements. Changes from R22
and R410A is not a real problem. R134a consumption decreased
before the implementation of the Kigali Amendment but this
is mostly used in mobile air conditioning although some car
manufacturers have already changed to HFOs and some to CO 2 .
Low GWP alternatives to HFCs are available for all applications of
refrigeration air conditioning and heat pumps.
The Kigali Amendment came into effect on 1 January 2019
after being ratified by at least 20 parties. Ratified in 2019 in South
Africa, it puts a worldwide phase-down of HFCs mainly used
in air conditioning and commercial refrigeration sectors. “The
Amendment will freeze the consumption level of HFCs in South
Africa as an article 5 (developing) country by 2028. The current
target figures state that the country should be phased down to
85% of calculated base line by 2047 on both the import and export
of HFCs. Recycling of HFCs will be permitted,” she said.
The Amendment will be implemented by the allocation of
permits for imports and exports of HFCs. “Two levels of permits
are envisaged: mainly, grandfather (those that imported
HFCs between 2014 and 2019) and special permits. Those
that want to be considered under the grandfather allocation
need to submit applications to DAFF. Molefe emphasised the
importance of providing accurate information as this will help
to monitor the progress. Natasha Kochova from UNIDO shared
the same sentiments, stating that this is also a global problem.
“Governments need to implement energy rating and efficiency
regulations. One of the challenges going forward is the lack of
monitoring and analysis of performance,” she said.
Lubabalo Maweni deputy director from DAFF shared that the
change by some sectors to natural refrigerants is encouraging, in
particular those users that have converted to CO 2 as a standard
while others have changed to propane (R290) and HFOs. These
initiatives are welcomed as a step in the right direction for the
country to implement the time frames and targets of the Kigali
Amendment. Noluzulo Gwayi also from DAFF, added that it
was industry that had to take the action and not rely solely on
government to implement the Amendment.
Theo Covary from the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) stated that the South African
Government, through the Department of Mineral Recourses
and Energy (DMRE), in collaboration with the Department
of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), and UNDP
is implementing a project called ‘Market Transformation
through the Introduction of Energy Efficiency Standards and
the Labelling of Household Appliances in South Africa’. Other
partners include DEFF, the National Regulator for Compulsory
Specifications (NRCS) and the SABS.
www.hvacronline.co.za
The solution-driven workshop saw experts from around the country
present.
Presenters at the Kigali Amendment Workshop. From left: Agustin
Sanchez-Guevara from Mexico and Kivanc Aslantas from Turkey, at
Woolworths V&A.
The objectives are:
• To remove inefficient electronic appliances through
Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS);
• Encourage the uptake of higher efficiency appliances
through labels and incentives; and
• To reduce electricity consumption and the carbon footprint
of the residential sector.
Covary, who is the project manager, presented an overview of the
project with particular reference to the impact on air conditioning
equipment and energy labelling. “The South African consumer
generally does not care about the energy consumed by air
conditioning equipment. Proper labelling on energy rating and
the refrigerant used will hopefully encourage greater awareness
of the importance of energy efficiency.”
Continued on page 19
RACA Journal I March 2020
17