Energy-efficiency standards and labelling for SA's televisions receives go-ahead

Source: Pexels

The programme has been in place for large residential appliances since 2015. Its success has resulted in an expansion of products with the support of Clasp, an organisation focused on appliance energy performance and its aim to expand access to clean energy.

The programme includes the development of minimum energy-performance standards and an energy-efficiency label for televisions in South Africa.

The aim of the development of these standards to improve the energy performance of the televisions manufactured and imported into South Africa and the implementation of an energy-efficiency label to guide consumer buying choices, is to lessen the burden of electronic goods on the grid considering the ongoing electricity crisis.

Lower energy consumption will result in reduced electricity costs and greenhouse gas emissions in line with South Africa’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Thus, this project is crucial to improving the sustainability of the industry.

Areas of opportunity for increased efficiencies

Research on residential electricity consumption in South Africa conducted in 2021 shows that 92% of households have one television, while 36% have two or more. 60% of households use their TVs for more than four hours daily.

The number of televisions owned is projected to grow to approximately 28.4 million units by 2032, directly increasing the energy use from televisions.

Further, the size of television screens has been increasing, directly increasing the television's power consumption. In addition, due to recent technological advancements in many parts of the world, including South Africa, televisions have evolved in the industry.

For example, the switch from analogue broadcasts to digital. This has allowed the introduction of high-definition broadcasts and screens. Today, a high-definition tuner and screen will require more power than a standard-definition screen and tuner of the same size, irrespective of the signal being processed.

Essential policy instruments

Minimum energy performance standards and energy labelling are among the most effective policy tools in promoting energy efficiency in electricity-powered appliances.

A recent study on the subject estimated that by 2021, about 1.23TWh more energy would be used by televisions compared to 2017.

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If minimum energy performance standards are adopted, the cumulative energy savings to be realised by 2030 will be approximately 2.6TWh.

The report referenced further estimates that about 1.97 Mt CO2 emissions in South Africa can be reduced by 2030 following the adoption of minimum energy performance standards for televisions.

A call for industry participation

In line with government processes, stakeholder consultation is a requirement in the development of any proposed legislation.

Sanedi invites industry stakeholders, including TV manufacturers, assemblers, and distributors, to participate in upcoming engagements, which will include a project briefing session, interviews and data-collection surveys, consultation workshops and reviews of the study before finalisation to inform the development of proposed performance standards and an energy label for televisions.