Opportunity
Procurement Opportunity: Development of Harmonised Regional MEPS for Distribution Transformers in EAC, ECOWAS and SADC
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has opened a new call for proposals under the EELA Regional Project to support the development of harmonised regional Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for distribution transformers across the EAC, the ECOWAS, and the SADC. The selected contractor will work with UNIDO, ECREEE, EACREEE and SACREEE to develop a technically sound, economically justified and enforceable regional MEPS framework.
Distribution transformers are a critical component of electricity distribution networks, serving as the final voltage transformation stage before electricity reaches residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial consumers. Although individual transformer losses may appear small, their cumulative impact across electricity systems is substantial due to the large number of units in operation. Reducing these losses through the adoption of high-efficiency transformers offers a cost-effective opportunity to improve electricity system performance, enhance energy security, reduce utility operating costs, defer investments in generation capacity, and contribute to climate change mitigation. Studies and international experience demonstrate that higher-efficiency distribution transformers can substantially reduce no-load and load losses over their operational lifetime, generating significant energy and financial savings. No-load loss is present whenever the transformer is energized, regardless of load, while load loss occurs in the windings and varies approximately with the square of the load current.
Globally, many countries and regions have introduced Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for distribution transformers as part of broader energy efficiency policies. International standards such as International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) IEC TS 60076-20 provide methodologies for evaluating transformer energy performance, including the use of Peak Efficiency Index (PEI), maximum allowable no-load and load losses, and efficiency indices under specified operating conditions. The standard is widely recognized as a reference framework for developing national and regional transformer efficiency regulations.
Harmonised regional MEPS for distribution transformers would facilitate trade, support regional manufacturing and procurement, reduce technical barriers to market entry, and create larger markets for high-efficiency transformer technologies. The initiative also builds on a growing recognition of transformer efficiency as a policy priority in Africa, with several countries already introducing requirements and specifications based on IEC methodologies.
Key Deliverables Include:
- Distribution Transformer Market Assessment (EAC, ECOWAS and SADC)
- Energy Savings, Environmental and Economic Impact Assessment
- Review of International Standards and MEPS
- Technical and Economic Analysis
- Development of Proposed Regional MEPS
- Development of a Compliance and Enforcement Framework
- Development of a Training Curriculum
- Development of an EELA Knowledge Product
Why is This Important?
Given the long operational life of distribution transformers, typically 25 years or more, the transformers installed today will influence electricity system efficiency for decades. Without harmonised MEPS, inefficient equipment may continue to enter the market, locking utilities and consumers into avoidable energy losses and higher operating costs.
By establishing common performance requirements across the EAC, ECOWAS and SADC regions, harmonised MEPS can help accelerate the uptake of high-efficiency transformer technologies, provide greater market certainty for manufacturers and suppliers, and support more efficient, reliable and sustainable electricity systems.
Deadline for proposal submission: 14 September 2026, 16:00:00 CET
The contractor will implement the agreed activities over a period of six (06) months, starting from the date of the contract signature.
Interested applicants can access the complete bidding documents through UNIDO's Procurement Portal (RFX No. 7000008750): https://www.unido.org/get-involved/procurement/login-unidos-e-procurement-portal