Energy conservation rules for construction sector

The government today launched the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) for the construction sector with an aim to increase the energy efficiency of new buildings.

The new guidelines are voluntary and would be made mandatory after some time, Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said after releasing the code.

"It will be implemented as voluntary programme for some time," Shinde said adding, the guidelines would be made mandatory after increasing awareness among the masses and also creating the required capacity addition.

Shinde, however, did not put any time-frame for the code to become mandatory, saying before that, the Centre needs to have a dialogue with the states and "We are already forwarding in that direction."

The government has launched the ECBC in pursuance with the energy Conservation Act of 2001, which empowers the Centre to prescribe ECBC for commercial buildings and building complexes.

On whether the private builders would comply with the voluntary norms, Shinde said the task had been entrusted with the urban development ministry.

The code prescribes minimum energy performance standards for commercial buildings and is expected to yield annual savings of 1.7 billion units of power in the first year of implementation, according to the data given by the ministry.

With the implementation of the norms, the government expects to reduce the energy use for new buildings between 25-40 per cent, which in turn can save the nation as much as Rs 80,000 crore, the minister said.

Under the new code, the government will put in place institutions to oversee the implementation of the scheme at the central, state and local levels as also to promote awareness about the programme. It will also facilitate the availability of energy efficient equipment, to be used as insulation material in building construction, at the local marketplace.

Meanwhile, six public sector undertakings (PSUs) including BSNL and NTPC agreed to implement the new codes in at least one of their new constructions.

Shinde also expressed optimism that the 11th Plan target of 78,000 Mw of capacity addition in electricity would be met. On new power projects, he said the Tilaiya project in Jharkhand and another power project in Andhra Pradesh would be operational by next month and the government would also "soon" take decision on the Sasan Power Project.

Power Secretary Anil Razdan said the ministry is planning to launch several power-saving equipment "very soon", but did not give further details.

He also said the ministry has asked the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), which has prepared the new code, to launch a mobile exhibition for creating awareness about energy conservation.