Energy Efficiency in the Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Sector
Energy-efficient and sustainable cooling — a challenge and an opportunity for North Macedonia
Why energy efficiency in refrigeration and air conditioning is a shared responsibility, and what this project sets out to achieve.
Refrigeration and air conditioning are now an integral part of daily life and of how a modern economy functions. RAC systems — from domestic air conditioners and commercial refrigeration to industrial, pharmaceutical, food and other specialised applications — matter increasingly for comfort, health, food safety, production processes and economic activity.
At the same time, the growing demand for cooling is a significant challenge in terms of energy consumption and environmental impact. The choice of technology, the energy efficiency of the equipment, the type of refrigerant, the quality of installation and regular maintenance all directly affect energy use, operating costs and the emissions associated with RAC systems.
In this context, North Macedonia faces an important transition towards more energy-efficient, climate-friendly and long-term sustainable cooling and air-conditioning technologies. This transition is not only about replacing refrigerants or ageing equipment. It implies a broader change in how RAC systems are selected, designed, installed, operated, maintained and ultimately replaced.
The project
As part of the wider activities supported by UNIDO, the Government of North Macedonia, through the National Ozone Unit at the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning and in coordination with the institutions responsible for energy efficiency, is implementing a pilot project aimed at strengthening the national framework for energy efficiency in the RAC sector. The project is supported through the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol and is linked to the HFC phase-down and the introduction of more efficient technologies and equipment.
Who takes part in the transition
One of the key elements of this transition is raising awareness and knowledge among all relevant stakeholders. Technicians (operators) and servicing companies play a decisive role in correct installation, maintenance, leak prevention and efficient operation. Importers and equipment owners influence the choice and availability of technologies, while institutions shape and enforce the regulatory framework. End users, through their decisions on procurement, use and maintenance, can significantly affect the overall energy and environmental performance of these systems.
Energy efficiency in the RAC sector is therefore not only a technical question. It is a shared responsibility and an opportunity to reduce energy consumption, operating costs and emissions, while achieving better performance, greater reliability and a longer equipment lifetime.
MEPS and eco-design
Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and eco-design requirements are particularly important, as they establish the basis for gradually improving the energy performance of equipment and for wider availability and uptake of more efficient technologies. The project aims to contribute to better understanding and practical application of these requirements, alongside promoting low-GWP technologies and good practice in servicing and refrigerant management.
The purpose of this portal
The project aims to build an informed RAC sector able to recognise, select and apply solutions that are energy efficient, climate responsible and ready for future European and national requirements.
Through this dedicated online portal we work to raise public awareness so that knowledge turns into practical change. Through information materials, expert interviews, articles, short videos and workshops, we bring information on energy-efficient RAC technologies closer to professionals, institutions, businesses and end users.