Punjab mini sectt to be 1st energy efficient building in state

Chandigarh, Dec 4 (UNI) Punjab mini secretariat building in the city will be developed as a first energy efficient building of Punjab.

Science, Technology and Environment Minister Bikram Singh Majithia gave this information here today while inaugurating Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) Awareness Workshop, organised by Punjab Energy Development Authority (PEDA), under USAID funded ECO-III Project with the support of Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Union Ministry of Power.

''The mini secretariat building will be projected as an example of energy conservation motivating the others to follow,'' he said.

''PWD (Electrical) has floated the tenders for converting this building through Energy Conservation Company Route and tenders will be opened on December 20.'' Mr Majithia said that he had also written to UT Administration to initiate such energy conservation measures in Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat, Punjab Vidhan Sabha buildings and Punjab and Haryana High Court building as these buildings were in the control of UT Administration. Similarly, all Deputy Commissioners and local government department had been requested to convert district complexes as energy efficient buildings at the earliest.

All future government buildings in the state will be designed in such a way that energy consumption level is minimal as in the case of Punjab Energy Development Authority (PEDA) complex, he added.

''Construction of energy efficient buildings is the key area for energy conservation, therefore, adequate attention to energy efficiency is required to be given when new buildings are designed,'' Mr Majithia said. The energy consumption in ECBC compliant buildings can be brought down to the tune of 40 to 50 per cent. He said that Energy Audit of 24 industries and important government buildings had indicated a potential annual saving of 11,542 Mwh.

Stressing the need for energy conservation Mr Majithia said that keeping in view the increasing demand of power the Punjab government had asked 250 high energy consuming industrial units to become self-sufficient in energy by co-generation. He said that presently 40 MW power was being produced by co-generation He lauded the initiatives of PEDA for sensitising the major stake holders in the building sector for creating awareness about ECBC through this workshop.

While welcoming the participants, PEDA Chief Executive TPS Sidhu informed that ECBC had been developed and launched by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Union Ministry of Power on May 27, 2007 on voluntary basis under the Energy Conservation Act 2001.

The ECBC sets minimum energy efficiency standards for design and construction of non-residential buildings without affecting the building function or the comfort, health and productivity of the occupants and with appropriate regard for economic factors. The code eliminates design practices that lead to unnecessarily high use of energy and associated costs.

UNI