While inaugurating, Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) Awareness Workshop on Tuesday under USAID funded ECO-III Project with the support of Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power here, he said that the building of Punjab Mini Secretariat Chandigarh would be developed as first energy efficient building of Punjab. He said that a study has shown that if whole campus of Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar is made energy efficient, there will a saving of Rs 50 lakhs per year.

He said that Punjab Secretariat building would be projected as example of energy conservation motivating the others to follow. He said that PWD (Electrical) has floated the tenders for converting this building through Energy Conservation Company Route and tenders would be opened on December 20, 2007. He said that the saving in Energy bill every month by adopting energy efficient manner would be shared by company of Punjab Government. He revealed that with installation of CFL lamps in 12000 villages of State 500 MW power could be saved.

Majithia Said that he separately written to UT Administration to initiate same energy conservation measures in Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat, Punjab Vidhan Sabha buildings and Punjab and Haryana High Court Building as these buildings are in the control of UT. Administration. Similarly all Deputy Commissioners, local Government department has been requested to convert district complexes as Energy efficient buildings at the earliest. Meanwhile all future Government buildings in the State will be designed in such a way that energy consumption level is minimal as in the case of PEDA's own complex.

The Minster said the energy consumption in ECBC compliant buildings can be brought down to the tune of 40 to 50 per cent. He said that Energy Audit of 24 industries and important Government buildings have indicated a potential annual saving of 11542 MWh.

Stressing the need for energy conservation Majithia said that keeping in view the increasing demand of power the Punjab Government has asked 250 high energy consuming industrial units to become self-sufficient in energy by co-generation. He said that presently 40 MW power was being produced by Co-generation

He lauded the initiatives of PEDA for sensitising the major stakeholders in the building sector for creating awareness about ECBC through this workshop. He informed that State Government is planning to add 5000 MW Cap in the State through all resources. He highlighted the efforts of the State Government of promoting co-generation, small hydro, biomass and solar power projects. He informed that the State Government in seriously concerned and committed towards energy efficiency in all areas of energy consumption. On this occasion he also launched the release of energy awareness stickers aimed at school children.

While welcoming the participants TPS Sidhu, PCS, Chief Executive, PEDA, he informed that ECBC has been developed and launched by BEE, MOP, GOI on May 27,2007 on voluntary basis under the Energy Conservation Act'2001. PEDA being the State designated agency for the State of Punjab, has to Co-ordinate, regulate and enforce the EC Act, has initiated the work to make aware all the stakeholders about the ECBC through this important workshop. The ECBC sets minimum energy efficiency standards for design and construction of non-residential buildings without affecting the building function or the comfort, health and productivity of the occupants and with appropriate regard for economic factors. The code eliminates design practices that lead to unnecessarily high use of energy and associated costs. The State Government has the flexibility to amend the code to suit local or regional needs and notify them accordingly.

He also informed that electricity consumption in the commercial sector at present account for about 8 pr cent of the total electricity supplied by the electricity utilities and has been growing annually at about 11-12 per cent.

Construction of energy efficient buildings is the key area for energy conservation, therefore, adequate attention to energy efficiency is required to be given when new buildings are designed. The energy consumption in ECBC compliant buildings can be brought down to the tune of 40 to 50 per cent.

He further informed that PEDA has taken many initiatives in the area of energy conservation. PEDA has signed an MoU with IRG under USAID, ECO-III project to design, development and implementation of selected pilot projects and promote energy efficiency in the SME sectors and building sector. Five-year energy conservation action plan has been prepared for the State of Punjab. Energy Audit of 24 industries and important Government buildings have been got conducted indicating a potential annual saving of 11542 Mwh. 15 designated consumers have been identified and all of them have appointed Energy Managers. More than 300 camps have been organised in schools and colleges for creating awareness about energy efficiency measures.

He also informed that one Energy Information Centre (EIC) at PEDA Head Quarter and 20 such EICs are being setup at the district level in the State. Punjab PWD (B&R) (Electrical) division has been assisted for preparing tender for adopting energy efficiency measures in the Mini Secretariat Building, Chandigarh through ESCO route.

M.P. Singh, Secretary, Science, Technology and Non-conventional Energy Sources, while addressing the participants, stressed that ECBC will play a pivotal role in the implementation of energy efficient policy in building sector and help in reducing the impact of climate change in the long run.