DMRE Directive to NRCS for IE3 Electric Motor MEPS

Mr. Edward Mamadise
Chief Executive Officer
National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications
1 Dr Lategan Road
Pretoria
0181

RE: MINIMUM ENERGY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS (MEPS) FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS (EM)

Dear Mr. Mamadise,

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy's (DMRE) Standards and Labelling (S&L) Programme is a key policy objective of the 2005 National Energy Efficiency Strategy (NEES) and the post-2015 NEES. In this regard, the electric apparatus selected by the DMRE to be regulated under VC9006 and 9008 has delivered significant energy savings. As a globally proven cost-effective policy tool, it is the DMRE's intention to regularly strengthen MEPS for existing S&L apparatus and to expand the Programme to other electrical apparatus that can deliver meaningful savings. Here, it has always been the DMRE's objective to move beyond the residential sector.

Globally, EM MEPS Programmes are common due to the combination of their very high penetration rate and energy savings potential; and are regulated in China, the European Union, USA, Brazil, Australia, Kenya, Egypt and other countries. Indeed, many of these countries have completed their fourth MEPS revision. Within this context, the DMRE commissioned and recently completed a cost benefit analysis study, which included industry stakeholder consultation as well NRCS and SABS participation. The study found that the infroduction of MEPS will have a net economic benefit to the economy and will improve commercial and industrial productivity.

The life cycle analysis found that: l) The pay-back period, for all motor sizes, is less than one year; 2) IEC standards 60034-1 1 and 60034-2-1 2 have been adopted as local standards by SABS; and 3) There is no local EM manufacturing in the target range.

On this basis, the DMRE kindly requests the NRCS to develop MEPS regulation at the IE3 level for three phase EM in the 0.75 to 375 kW range for 2, 4, 6 and 8 pole motors. Variable Speed Drives and Variable Frequency Drives, which are used in specialist applications, will not be regulated at this time. To achieve the DMRE's 2030 energy savings target it is kindly requested that the regulation come into effect by no later than January 2024. The DMRE believes that this time period provides ample time for the NRCS and the dtic to develop and promulgate the regulations, whilst providing industry an opportunity to deplete their stockholding of IEI and IE2 motors. The research found that the average stock tumover period for EM is between 3 to 5 months, depending on the motor size.

It should also be noted that a letter from the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition is also being processed to ensure a clear communication between the two departments.