Govt new energy rules shake up appliance market

DAR ES SALAAM: THE government is set to overhaul the country’s appliance market with new energy efficiency rules coming into effect next May, forcing importers and manufacturers to adapt or face exclusion from the local market.

Through the newly launched Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), the government aims to cut national electricity consumption by up to 20 per cent by regulating five of the most energy-intensive imported appliances: air conditioners, refrigerators, televisions, fans and electric motors.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Dr James Mataragio, described the move as a milestone in the country’s energy sector transformation during the official launch of the MEPS initiative and the inauguration of the National Energy Efficiency Testing Laboratories at the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) in Dar es Salaam, recently.

“The shift towards energy efficient appliances is not just a cost-saving measure, it is a strategic investment in our economy, our environment and our future.

“Energy efficiency is the backbone of a modern economy. It enables industries to stay competitive, businesses to thrive and households to improve their quality of life, all while reducing strain on our power infrastructure,” said Dr Mataragio.

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The new standards will ensure that only high-quality, energy-efficient products are allowed into the local market and stressed the importance of compliance enforcement and public education to support the shift.

“The power saved through MEPS can be redirected to vital sectors such as health, education and industry,” he said.

The Director of Trade Development in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Mr Sempeho Manongi, said that full enforcement of MEPS and mandatory energy labelling will begin next May.

“From that point, all manufacturers, importers and distributors of covered appliances will be legally required to meet the new standards,” he said.

He was representing the representing the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Hashil Abdallah. Mr Manongi said that the 2.3 million euros (6.7bn/-) investment underpinning the initiative has established a solid foundation for fostering a more energy-conscious and competitive industrial environment.

“This investment has laid a strong foundation for a future powered by smart, efficient energy use. It aligns with Tanzania’s broader vision of a sustainable, industrialised economy,” he said.

The newly established testing laboratories, he said, will play a critical role in verifying product performance and safeguarding the market from substandard imports.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative and representative at United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) in Tanzania, Mr Shigeki Komatsubara, said the initiative demonstrates Tanzania’s commitment to building a resilient and future-ready economy.

“Achieving upper-middleincome status by 2050 will require not just more energy but better energy. Energy that is affordable, sustainable and efficiently used,” he said.

The TBS Director General, Dr Ashura Katunzi, commended the programme for strengthening the country’s institutional capacity, equipping the TBS with modern testing tools and regulatory mechanisms.

“We now have the tools, skills and systems in place to enforce quality and efficiency. This marks a new era in how Tanzania regulates and consumes energy,” she said.