South Africa’s Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) have now come into effect, marking the start of the phasing out of most three-phase, low-voltage electric motors rated IE1 in the country in favour of more energy-efficient IE3-rated motors.

This is expected to deliver higher efficiencies and assist in reducing energy consumption in South Africa in the short term.

Since the start of June, and a year after the standard’s gazetting, no IE1- and IE2-rated electric motors are to be imported or assembled in South Africa to encourage the adoption of IE3 motors, in line with international trends.

The new standard, officially the Compulsory Specification VC 9113, applies to a broad range of three-phase, low-voltage electric motors – specifically, motors with two, four, six or eight poles with a rated power output ranging from 0.75 kW to 375 kW.

Electric motor manufacturers and original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) can sell current IE1 and IE2 stock until May 2026.

“This is a huge milestone for South Africa,” says WEG Africa electric motors LV&HV executive Fanie Steyn.

While the MEPS, a global initiative to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions by enforcing higher efficiency in electric motors, does not require or obligate businesses to immediately replace their current, operational IE1 motors, but only when they fail, industrial and energy component manufacturer WEG Africa is encouraging the early adoption of the higher efficiency motors, as doing so will boost cost savings and save energy.

The upgrade will bring about energy efficiency and other cost benefits to businesses, suppliers and OEMs, Steyn says, explaining that IE3 electric motors are 4% to 8% more efficient than IE1 and IE2 motors, and the replacement cost can be recouped in one to five years, depending on use, while improving a company’s environmental impact and market competitiveness and offsetting rising energy costs.

Electric motors use a large percentage of the energy generated in South Africa, often consuming energy equivalent to their acquisition costs in the first few weeks of operation.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), electric- motor-driven systems consume more than 40% of global electricity.

“Global energy consumption has doubled in the last 20 years, spurring [an] international trend towards a more energy-secure and energy efficient future,” adds BMI power and renewables analyst Harvest-Time Obadire.

Industrial applications consume nearly a third of produced electricity, with electric motors being responsible for two-thirds of that consumption.

In the short term, one of the quickest and easiest ways to overcome the increasing energy demand, and provide some relief to the national grid, is to increase efficiencies, says Steyn.

He encourages businesses to undertake a cost-benefit analysis for replacing older, less efficient motors before they fail, taking into account the potential for significant energy savings and the projected increases in the cost of electricity.

“MEPS regulations enable local businesses and utilities to improve their efficiency, and they also create new employment and market opportunities through local manufacturing and skills development,” Southern Africa Energy Efficiency Confederation former president Zadok Olinga adds.

“South Africa and our African peers are playing a growing role in the global energy story. We are prolific adopters of renewable energy and new energy blends and support global energy market trends. But it is not just about new energy sources. Improving what we have by pursuing greater energy efficiency is a crucial strategy.”

WEG Africa has already phased out IE1 and IE2 motors from its product line and has established local IE3 motor manufacturing lines.