The industrialisation and trade ministry last week donated 16 green air conditioners (ACs) to the Windhoek Vocational Training Centre (WVTC). The donation, made through the National Ozone Unit (NOU) with assistance from the GIZ Proklima, is valued at over N$216 000.
A ministerial statement noted the purpose of the donation is to promote the sustainable use of green energy-efficient appliances, as the vocational sector moves away from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to mitigate pollution. The donation further aims to capacitate technicians through training in the safe handling of these new technological devices.
“Therefore, focusing on energy efficiency standards, safety standards, energy and safety testing requirements, and good practices in installation and maintenance is very important in the refrigeration and air conditioners (RAC) sector,” the trade ministry stated.
A Green AC, in contrast to a conventional AC, has no ozone-depleting potential (ODP) or a global warming potential (GWP), reduces energy consumption by up to 5 000 kWh over its lifetime. This results in significant cost reductions for both consumers and government, and is set to be the game changer for the air conditioning industry.
Deputy executive director for Industrial Development, Michael Humavindu, who handed over the donation, indicated the ministry is working closely with customs officials to ensure the right refrigeration and air conditioning equipment is imported. This initiative also supports VTCs in being able to offer technical support in relation to green RACs.
The green ACs make up part of equipment donated by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to the trade ministry in December 2023. GIZ has been cooperating with Namibia in the implementation of technical projects for ozone protection under the Montreal Protocol since 1998. “In this context, the transitioning from CFCs was accompanied and the exit from HCFCs is currently being complemented through the HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) and the implementation of funding windows under the Montreal Protocol in strong cooperation with this ministry,” read the ministerial statement.
In 2016, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol broadened the focus of cooperation from ozone to climate protection which is why GIZ supports Namibia in the phase-down of HFCs through the Cooling Programme for Southern Africa (CooPSA).
WVTC’s centre manager, Polli Andima, who received the donation on behalf of the centre thanked the ministry for the donation and said VTC students will be trained on how to properly install and ensure proper maintenance of the green ACs. Andima indicated the four units each of the 16 ACs will be distributed and installed at the Valombola, Gobabis, Arandis, and Windhoek vocational training centres.