The Energy Commission, regulator of the electricity, natural gas, and renewable energy sector of Ghana, has begun engagement with stakeholders on the new standards and labeling scheme for improved biomass cookstoves.
The event which is the first of a nationwide regional awareness creation was held in Accra on Thursday, 11 May, 2023.
It was attended by selected biomass cookstoves manufacturers, distributors and retailers; representatives of the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies in Greater Accra, and the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council; the World Bank; Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research’s Institute of Industrial Research (CSIR-IIR); Ghana Standards Authority (GSA); Ministry of Energy; Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI); Ghana Alliance for Clean Cookstoves and Fuels (GHACCO); and the media.
In November last year, Ghana’s Parliament passed L.I 2454 Renewable Energy (Standards and Labeling) (Improved Biomass Cookstoves) Regulations, 2022 to regulate the manufacturing, importation, distribution, and sale of improved biomass cookstoves. Enforcement of the new Regulations will commence in November 2024.
The objective of the LI 2454 is to promote the efficient use of biomass resources and mitigate the impact of climate change by providing for: the enforcement of minimum performance standards for improved biomass cookstoves; labeling; and registration of improved biomass cookstoves.
The Government of Ghana, as part of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the climate change Paris Agreement seeks to disseminate 3 million improved biomass cookstoves by 2030, with the support of development partners.
So far, the Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Energy, has distributed about 500,000 improved biomass cookstoves.
Bernice Adjoa Eshun Nortey, Officer, Renewable Energy Regulation at the Energy Commission made a presentation on improved biomass cookstoves. In her discussion on the benefits of improved biomass cookstoves, she noted that it uses less fuel, reduces exposure to harmful smoke which prevents headache, cooks food faster, lowers emissions of carbon monoxide, and particulate matter, and is safe to use.
In a presentation by Paula Edze, Manager for Renewable Energy Regulation, she walked the participants through the purpose of the LI 2454, what the law requires from improved biomass cookstoves manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers; the offences; penalties; etc. She encouraged manufacturers of improved biomass cookstoves to ensure proper labelling of their products and also be innovative in designing the products.
She warned that the Commission would not allow the marketing of improved biomass cookstoves that are not properly labelled.
Touching on the penalties, she said a penalty unit is Gh¢12, adding that the penalties range from 125 penalty units to 1000 penalty units; and or prison terms of six months to 24 months.
The Deputy Director responsible for bioenergy at the Ministry of Energy, Doris Duodu commended the Energy Commission for the efforts it is making to promote improved biomass cookstoves.
She pledged the Ministry’s support to the standards and labelling scheme for improved biomass cookstoves.
The Commission will be holding the same event in the Ahafo, Northern, Upper West, Volta, and Oti Regions over the next two weeks.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com