Electricity and Control July 2025

Energy management + energy e iciency

MEPS regulations for electric motors in effect South Africa’s Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) came into e ect from June 2025. The new standards, in line with international trends, will see the phasing out of IE1 and IE2 electric motors for more energy-e icient IE3 motors. WEG Africa, which is one of the few companies that assembles electric motors for industry in South Africa, recently hosted a roundtable gathering to share the context, implications and opportunities of the new MEPS.

Low voltage motors with power output ratings from 0.75 kW to 375 kW are widely used in industry and will need to be replaced.

I nternational E›iciency (IE) ratings are defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) as a measure of energy e›iciency in electric motors. Thus, the classification of IE1 and IE2 motors distinguishes them from premium e›iciency IE3 motors and super premium e›iciency IE4 and IE5 motors. In South Africa, the MEPS regulations were gazetted one year ago to give the market due notice of the legislative change. The regulations will require most three-phase, low voltage electric motors between 0.75 kW to 375 kW to be replaced, over time, by IE3 rated motors. The lower e›iciency IE1 and IE2 low voltage motors will no longer be admitted as imports into the country. Speaking at the roundtable gathering, Fanie Steyn, LV&HV Executive of Electric Motors at WEG Africa, highlighted several important points. He noted, among other things, that: ƒ IE3 electric motors are 4 to 8% more e›icient than IE1 and IE2 motors, and continuously running premium-ef ficiency motors can recoup their replacement cost with in a few months. ƒ End-user businesses are not obliged to replace motors currently in operation; they can phase out older motors as they fail. ƒ Electric motor manufacturers and original equipment

manufacturers can sell current IE1 and IE2 stock until May 2026. Steyn noted too that WEG Africa has already phased out IE1 and IE2 motors from its product portfolio and has established local IE3 motor production lines. A financial win for businesses All businesses, suppliers, and OEMs should be aware that the switch to IE3 premium energy e›iciency motors introduces e›iciency and cost benefits across all industry sectors. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), electric motor-driven systems consume more than 40% of global electricity [1] , which new regulations can reduce by at least 5%. Although IE3 motors are sold at a higher cost, they are, as noted, four to eight percent more e›icient than IE1 motors. Electric motors can consume the energy equivalent amounting to their acquisition costs in the first few weeks of operation. However, when cumulative running costs are compared, savings achieved using IE3 motors typically return the investment outlay within one to five years, depending on the application. Premium IE3 motors that run continuously can recoup their costs within months. IE3 motors also make a di›erence in enabling companies to reduce their environmental impact and improve market

10 Electricity + Control JULY 2025