The project preparation report for Grenada’s HCFC Phaseout Management Plan (HPMP) Stage II is well on the way with the completion of the data collection survey. Over a four month period stakeholders of the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector in Grenada were engaged in a data collection process on consumption of ozone depleting substances and related equipment.
During a stakeholder consultation and data validation workshop held on August 24th, 2021, lead consultant, Mrs. Terah Antoine presented a summary of the findings to the participants. Participants included a wide cross section of stakeholders representing the refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) technicians, importers of refrigerants and RAC equipment, Customs Officers, Ministry of Trade Officials, training institutions, the Grenada Bureau of Standards and the Grenada Solid Waste Management Authority.
Several significant observations were made from the data presented. Less than 20% of the total refrigerants imported into Grenada are ozone depleting substance (ODS), HCFC-22. This was not the case in 2009 when the last HPMP data survey was conducted that indicated HCFC 22 was the dominant refrigerant imported at the time. Of greater significance is the revelation that the the stocks of installed HCFC 22 equipment has been reduced from just under 19,000 pieces of equipment in 2009 to less than 500 pieces in 2021. This has been the main driver towards the drastic reduction in the dependence of R-22 refrigerants for the servicing of these equipment. HCFCs have been predominantly used for servicing air-conditioning systems (mini-splits and commercial ducted) and commercial refrigeration systems.
The replacement refrigerants have been the hydrofluoroacarbons (HFCs) with zero ozone depleting potential (ODP). There is also evidence of increasing trends in the use of natural refrigerants, R-600A in the domestic refrigeration sub-sector together with R-290 and the low global warming potential (GWP), R-32 in unitary split AC systems.
Several factors can be attributed for the significant reduction in the HCFC equipment. Among the main reasons is the role played by the NOU in promoting alternative ozone friendly technologies through its public awareness and education activities and capacity development for RAC technicians. The private sector and RAC technicians have also played a major role in offering incentives to replace HCFC equipment, discontinuation of imports of HCFC equipment and providing up to date information to end-users in making information decision on technology choices.
The consumption data indicates that Grenada has already phased out approximately 79% of ODSs relative to the baseline established in 2010. This results means that the country is ahead of the Montreal Protocol targets for 2020 (35% reduction) and 2025 (67.5% reduction) and well on the way to a complete phase outline before 2030.
