DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (55/09) issued by
COI News Distribution Service. 13 March 2009
Minimum energy
efficiency standards for industrial electric motors have been
unanimously agreed by the European Commission.
Electric motors are used widely in industry for processes such as
pumping, ventilation, and in lifts and conveyor belts. They
currently contribute significantly to non-domestic electricity
consumption in the UK and account for around 70 per cent of the
electricity used in industry.
New regulations will set minimum energy standards in motors and
are expected to provide net benefits to UK industry and businesses
of around £200 million and to save at least one million tonnes of
CO2 each year. Efficiency levels will be phased in from 2011-2017.
Lord Hunt, Minister for Sustainability said:
"I'm delighted that the EU has joined together to save
businesses money and help save significant amounts of energy by
introducing these minimum standards. Given the importance of
tackling Climate Change, in the UK we were keen to go further,
faster and it is disappointing that other countries did not agree
with us on this. The European motor market is lagging behind the
rest of the world, but all improvements have to be seen as a
significant step forwards."
The UK will continue to develop other national policies that
promote the take-up of energy efficient motors such as the
Enhanced Capital Allowance, building regulations (which encourage
take up of variable speed drives, VSD) and the Buy Sustainable -
Quick Wins standards which set minimum, mandatory specifications
for procurers in Central Government Departments and their
Executive Agencies for a range of commonly purchased products,
including energy using products such as motors..
Notes to editors:
1. Efficiency levels agreed in the measure are:
* By 2011 -
IE2
* By 2015 - IE3 for larger motors or IE2 if the motor is
equipped with a variable speed drive (VSD)
* By 2017 - IE3 for
smaller motors, or IE2 if the motor is equipped with a VSD
2. The benchmark is IE3 or IE3 equipped with a VSD
3. IE4 motors are not within the scope of the measure
4. The standards are IEC (International Electrotechnical
Commission) standards and are derived from older European motor
industry labels, to harmonise with American and other regional
motor efficiency classes.
5. This is the latest in a series of implementing measures under
the Eco-design for Energy Using Products Framework Directive to
help deliver EU objectives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to
reduce the adverse environmental impacts of products, to ensure
free-trade in energy-using products and increase security of
energy supply. These measures will encourage the improvement of
products or the removal of the worst performers from the market
and require suppliers to take account of environmental aspects in
the design and development stage of a product.
Since agreement was reached on the Framework Directive in 2005
the Commission has been undertaking work on over 20 priority
products including consumer electronics, white goods, heating
appliances, motors and IT equipment.
6. Enhanced Capital Allowance is a scheme where businesses can
write off the whole of the capital cost of their investment in
qualifying technologies against their taxable profits. More
information can be found at http://www.eca.gov.uk/
7. "Buy Sustainable - Quick Wins" set minimum standards
as mandatory for procurers in UK Central Government Departments
and their Executive Agencies, helping them to raise the
sustainability of their procurement activities and produce savings
for the environment. More information can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/sustainable/government/what/priority/consumption-production/quickWins/index.htm
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