Energy efficiency standards and labelling (EESL) programmes are widely recognised as one of the most effective policy tools to accelerate adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. In Guyana, they hold significant potential to contribute to the goals of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 and to fulfill national commitments to international agreements. However, the success of such programmes hinges on investments in long-term, targeted capacity building aimed at empowering stakeholders and decision-makers.
This week, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC), Office of the President, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) conducted a sensitisation workshop on Energy Efficiency Standards and Labelling in Guyana facilitated by UNDP Consultant – Jacob Kurian. The session was hosted at the GNBS on Monday, January 06 and at the Cara Lodge Hotel, Quamina Street, Georgetown on January 08 & 09, 2025.
Explaining the importance of the workshop, Head of the Product Compliance Department, Quincy Troyer noted that the National Standards for energy efficient products are available at the GNBS. He said “the standards help us as Inspectors to perform our duties in a more informed way. We encourage the use of energy efficiency products to decrease costs and to help lower electricity consumption. To ensure compliance, education and awareness is important.”
In 2021, three standards were introduced by the GNBS addressing Minimum Energy Performance and energy labelling for electrical appliances: GYS 576:2021 for refrigerating appliances, GYS 577:2021 for compact fluorescent and LED lamps, and GYS 578:2021 for air conditioners. These are underpinned by the foundational and mandatory standard GYS 9-1:2017, which sets out general requirements for the labelling of goods.
GNBS plans to gradually mandate compliance with these standards to support sustainable energy practices. The energy efficient products will be added to the seventeen (17) categories of products monitored by the Bureau.
Senior Energy Engineer at GEA, Olson Abrams who was also a facilitator at the session said, “this session looked at energy use, energy use patterns, cost; so, you have an idea of the different appliances that are used in different facilities, and based on that information, we can look at consumption and sources of energy loss.”
Topics covered during the workshop included National actions to address climate change, Energy scenario and progress on sustainable energy, The energy efficiency standards and labelling programme in Guyana, along with the concept and scope of the programme.
Programme Analyst (Energy, Environment, Extractive Industries) at UNDP Guyana, Colin Mattis in an invited comment emphasized that energy efficiency standards and labelling are pivotal for Guyana’s sustainable development journey.
He reckoned that “by fostering innovation and market transparency, these standards not only contribute to Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy but also strengthen the nation’s commitment to global climate goals. The UNDP is proud to support this transformative initiative, which paves the way for a greener, more energy-efficient future for all Guyanese.”
Meanwhile, Inspectors of the GNBS Legal Metrology Department also completed a five-day training on the International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML) Standards, Meter proving, measurement, advanced calculations, LPG Theory, tolerances and meter technologies.
The objective of the training was to provide updated information on the verification of bulk meters and LPG meters to Inspectors of the Department who are tasked with verifying the accuracy of these instruments for stakeholders. The training was facilitated by Trillium Measurement and Control, a leading provider of process control and measurement solutions across Canada.
The GNBS remains committed to continuous improvement through capacity building and training of its staff to promote a culture of quality through standards. To learn more, contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0064-66, the GNBS hotline: 219-0069 or WhatsApp: 692-4627
