Energy conservation codes for commercial buildings introduced

New Delhi, May 27 (UNI) The Government today introduced Energy Conservation Codes for commercial buildings the implementation of which will be made mandatory soon for the buildings having load of 500 kW or more.

Launching the codes here, Minister for Power Sushil Kumar Shinde said the implementation of the codes will reduce energy consumption from 25 per cent to 40 per cent and will yield annual saving of about 1.7 billion units. The implementation of the codes will be voluntary initially but be made mandatory later under the Energy Conservation Act 2001, an official release said here today.

The codes sets a minimum efficiency standards for external wall, roof, glass structure, lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning of the commercial buildings in all the five climatic zones in the country. The State Governments can amend these codes to suit local or regional needs and notify them accordingly, he added.

Mr Shinde said the codes aimed at bringing down the energy consumption of the commercial buildings through the efficient design and use of resources. Highlighting the Government's efforts to increase power production in the country, he said plans had been made for capacity addition of about 70,000 MW during the 11th Plan and by 2012 the country would be self sufficient to a great extent in the power sector.

He said efficient use of energy and check the leakages in energy consumption was must as by conserving only 20 per cent of energy the country would save about Rs. 20,000 crore. The Minister said that very soon the Government would put in place appropriate institutional structure to oversee implementation of the codes throughout the country with involvement of states and other stakeholders.

Effective awareness and outreach programme would be launched to overcome strong first cost bias that usually needs owners to under-invest in energy efficiency during building design and construction. The State Governments would be requested to integrate the energy codes in city bylaws through municipalities, he added.

UNI