27 May 2018

The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer will help the climate by phasing down high global warming potential (GWP), hydrofluorocarbons (HCFs) which are commonly used as refrigerants.

Speaking at a workshop on energy-efficient and climate-friendly refrigeration and air conditioning recently, Department of Energy acting director, Mr Cyril Matshameko said gas substances were one of the greatest challenges faced by not only Africa but the world at large.

“This means that in the case of refrigeration and air conditioning, the low-global warming potential refrigerants will require some improvements on the design of its components like compressors, evaporators, condensers as well as the buildings fabrics,” he said.

Mr Matshameko further said the ways and means through which Botswana exploited its energy resources had a significant bearing on the growth of the nation as well as the health of the environment.

The challenge, he said, was to change how people behaved at individual, company and national level in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also to minimise its impact on the economy and society.

“In this regard, Botswana’s draft energy policy recognises all energy sectors being electricity, oil and gas, renewables as key factors to address issues of energy security, environmental health as well as social economic development for our nation. Consequently, energy efficiency and conservation was recognised as a cross cutting factor for all energy sectors to address issues of energy cost savings and global warming concerns,” he added.

Mr Matshameko further said the energy efficiency strategy identified barriers and resource limits as well as energy saving opportunities in all energy consuming sectors such as mining, domestic, commercial and public buildings including cooking, water pumping, water heating, vehicle use, lighting system as well as space cooling and heating.

Speaking at the same event, Department of Meteorological Services acting director, Mr Balisi Gopolang pointed out that in Africa temperatures were generally high therefore people needed cooling to survive.

“Cooling has become part and parcel of our lives because some of our agricultural produce need cooling for them to get to the market and we cool in such a way that we remain energy efficient and we are obviously sharing the small energy that we have by employing all our technologies,” he said. ENDS