The move would give way to the introduction of air-conditioners using natural hydrocarbon refrigerants, instead of those using Hydrochlorofluorocarbon, (HCFCs) and Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are known to contribute to global climate change emissions.

Experts say existing HFC air-conditioners found in Ghana and other developing countries were using outdated technologies with low energy efficiency. Along with other refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, such gadgets also use fluorinated refrigerants that have high global warming potentials.

The partnership would, therefore, ensure the rolling out and upscaling of ozone friendly refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment under the Green Cooling Initiative (GCI), which is aimed at implementing mitigation measures that accelerate the transition to green cooling technologies in Ghana. 

The GCI, being implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenabeit (GIZ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on behalf of Germany and Ghana, respectively, had been adopted by Ghana as part of activities to ensure resilience to climate change.

This is being done under Ghana’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution of the UN Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC).  In pursuant to the partnership, GIZ on Thursday presented 380 split air conditioners (ACs) and spare parts that operate on hydrocarbon refrigerant R290 to the EPA, who, in turn, handed them over to two firms; Electroland Ghana Limited and Flexi-Space Limited, dealers in air-conditioning and electronic appliances, to be the first to deal in their importation and services.

 R290 ACs are said to be 25 per cent more efficient than the ordinary ACs and can save more than GHC120 per month on energy bill.   Ms Nicola Nana Yaa Hodasi, the Political and Economic Affairs Officer of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, presented a dummy of the ACs to the EPA.

She said the GCI was being championed by the Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety of Germany, with its Ghanaian counterpart, the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, to support in the reduction of emissions from air-conditioners in Ghana, expected to triple by 2030 if nothing was done about it.

She said the energy efficient split air-conditioners run on natural refrigerants adding that the technology transfer marked the largest demonstration of green air-conditioners under the GCI, which was also being implemented in Africa.

“During their life span, the 380 split air-conditioners will prevent greenhouse emission of more than 10,000 kilograms from the outside, thus contributing towards Ghana’s national climate target,” she said.

She said the involvement of the private sector in the partnership would ensure members imported climate friendly ACs.  Ms Hodasi explained the GCI programme would support Ghana until 2021, and that other planned interventions include policy advice on how to establish incentives, training, and a regulatory framework to accelerate the market transformation towards green technologies.

Mr Ebenezer Ampah-Sampong, the Deputy Executive Director in charge of Technical, EPA, said Ghana welcomed the introduction of hydrocarbon refrigerants to reduce and eventually eliminate her dependence on HFCFCs and HFCs, which contributed to climate change.

He said the initiative would help Ghana to meet her commitment under the UNFCCC, the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment of the Refrigeration and Air-conditioners sector. Mr Ampah-Sampong explained that hydrocarbon offered very good benefits for both cost and environment, however, in view of its flammable nature, it calls for extra care during servicing and maintenance.

He said the EPA was, thus, partnering other stakeholders to train technicians and members of the Refrigeration’s and Air Conditioning Engineers Association of Ghana among others while efforts were being made to get technicians of the Refrigeration and Air-conditioners sector certified to ensure good practice.