World Bank Warns Rising Air Conditioner Use Could Strain Nigeria’s Power Grids
The World Bank has raised concerns over the rising use of air conditioners in Nigeria and other developing countries, warning that it could place severe strain on already fragile electricity grids. The alert comes amid rising global temperatures, which are driving higher demand for cooling, particularly in rapidly urbanizing and low-income regions.
According to the World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development, air conditioning remains one of the most effective ways to cope with extreme heat but is highly energy-intensive. The report emphasizes that as more households adopt cooling technologies, the pressure on power infrastructure will grow, especially in areas with limited electricity access.
The Bank highlighted opportunities to improve efficiency, noting that doubling the energy efficiency of room air conditioners by 2030 could cut life-cycle costs by 60% and expand access to cooling for an additional 320 million people by 2050. Evidence from countries including India, Indonesia, and Nigeria demonstrates the potential benefits of energy-efficient solutions.
To address these challenges, policymakers are urged to implement tools such as minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) and enforce building codes. Nigeria has already taken steps, approving new MEPS for air conditioners in March 2025, expected to save 11.5 terawatt-hours of electricity annually and cut carbon emissions by roughly 39 million tonnes.
Experts also point to rural electrification initiatives as part of the solution. The Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) aims to provide energy-efficient appliances to 24,500 micro, small, and medium enterprises, while the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) seeks to deploy 5 million off-grid solar systems to underserved communities. Successful implementation could generate millions of tradable certified emission reductions, boosting both local energy access and foreign investment inflows.
source: nairametrics