News: Energy conservation norms may be must for residential buildings-20-04-2022
It is expected to increase the cost of construction by 2- 3% but the recovery takes place within 4-5 years through reduced electricity bills, a senior government official said. The code will be applicable on new residential complexes consuming 100 KW load, typically societies with 20 1BHKs or 10 2BHKs, he said.
The government is considering mandating new residential buildings to be energy efficiency code compliant, a move that is likely to save ₹1,20,000 crore worth of electricity by 2030 by avoiding generation of 300 billion units.
It is expected to increase the cost of construction by 2-3% but the recovery takes place within 4-5 years through reduced electricity bills, a senior government official said. The code will be applicable on new residential complexes consuming 100 KW load, typically societies with 20 1BHKs or 10 2BHKs, he said.
The proposal, part of India's commitment to reduce energy intensity by 45% by 2030, will require amendment in the Electricity Conservation Act and is being sent to the Union Cabinet for approval.
According to the Energy Conservation Act, only commercial buildings can be mandated to follow energy efficiency code. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) had in 2017 launched the Energy Conservation Buildings Code (ECBC) for commercial buildings. BEE had in 2018 launched a separate Eco Niwas Samhita (ENS) code for residential buildings. The code can be adopted on a voluntary basis by residential units with more than 500 sq metre plot area.
According to BEE, residential buildings account for about 24% of India's total energy consumption and by 2030, another 3 billion square metres area is expected to be added.
"In homes, primary energy consumption is by air conditioners, lighting, fans and LPG/PNG. ENS provides guidance about appropriate material, design, ventilation and techniques to make homes comfortable for maximum time of the day so that the usage of ACs, coolers, fans and lights is minimal," the official said.
BEE has also launched a star labelling programme for buildings on the basis of annual energy consumption per square metre. The building code for residential and commercial buildings and the labelling programme is expected to gain momentum with increased focus on reduction of carbon emissions.
In COP 26 at Glasgow last November, India promised to cut its emissions to zero by 2070. The country announced 500 Gw of non-fossil electricity capacity, 50% renewable energy capacity, reduction of emissions by 1 billion tonnes and reduction of emissions intensity of the GDP by 45% by 2030.
