Non-industrial SEZs to be more energy efficient
The Centre has drafted a ‘green policy’ for making industrial and non-industrial special economic zones (SEZs) more energy efficient. The policy would be introduced shortly, said MS Rao, development commissioner, Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone.
The country has 344 notified SEZs across 40,000 hectares which have so far attracted investment worth Rs 1 lakh crore.
“Guidelines have already been prepared in consultation with the CII Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre, and we are now seeking inputs from the stakeholders as we would like to take them as partners in this initiative rather than imposing the guidelines on them,” Rao said while speaking at the CII’s Green Building Congress 2009 in Hyderabad today.
According to the draft guidelines, buildings in the SEZs need to comply with the energy conservation building code by laying down solar power systems to generate a minimum of 50 Kw of power per hectare, meeting 50 per cent of hot water requirements through solar heating and implementing 100 per cent water harvesting while ensuring zero water discharge.
“The draft guidelines also include minimising individual automobile use in the SEZ premises, encouraging pedestrian and bicycle use, and landscaping of 75 per cent of open area,” he added.
