ECBC to be implemented by the end of the 12th Five Year Plan
According to a top official, the minimum requirements for energy efficient design and construction set by the central government will be mandatory for all the state governments to be implemented by 2017. This is done to meet the challenges of depleting resources, increased urbanisation and rapid construction.
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) of the power ministry has made mandatory the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC). This code acts like a cross-check for building designs and specifications. There are many components in a building where green initiatives can be taken, like through design and choice of material and equipment, building envelopes (wall, roofs, and windows), lighting, heat ventilation and air conditioning and electrical systems.
Sanjay Seth, a senior energy economist at BEE mentioned that even though the ECBC has been developed by BEE, its enforcement lies with the state governments and urban local bodies. There are separate regional requirements as per the climatic conditions and other factors, and the authorities need to notify the developers accordingly. Seven states including Rajasthan, Odisha, Uttarakhand and Andhra Pradesh have notified the code, while 15 are on the way to doing so.
Seth also mentioned that West Bengal (W.B) is a state where there is a huge boom in new commercial buildings. However BEE is facing a huge challenge in implementing the code in W.B.
Source- The Economic Times
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