Energy Commission’s fridge programme woos consumers

Mr Eric Antwi-Adjei, Project Coordinator, Energy Commission (EC) has urged consumers to take advantage of the Ghana Refrigerating Appliance Rebate Programme to save energy.

The programme designed by the EC and supported by the United Nations Development Project is to assist consumers to make an energy efficient choice when purchasing an appliance by offering rebates of up to GH¢200.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Antwi-Adjei, said: “Participants will only enjoy the rebates when they surrender their old refrigerators at the point of purchase.”

He said the Sunyani Branch of Melcom Supermarket,  has been chosen to participate in the programme in the Brong Ahafo Region.

Ecobank, a major partner is also offering flexible and attractive consumer loans to cover payment of the top up.

“Government has released GH¢300 million for the programme to make the appliances affordable,” he added.

Mr Antwi-Adjei said consumers could select any appliance from two to five stars  in exchange of their old refrigerators.

He  explained that the efficiency of an appliance depends on the number of stars and could make sufficient savings up to about 50 per cent of electricity bills.

He said the programme was launched on May 26, and is expected to end in December.

Mr Kofi Agyarko, Head of Energy Efficiency and Climate Change at the EC said the old refrigerators consumed 50 per cent of household energy.

He said frequent opening of refrigerators attract more heat and thereby consume more energy.

Mr Kofi Amoakohene, Sunyani  Melcom Branch Manager told the GNA that about 20 consumers had benefited from the programme in the region.

Source: GNA