Delhi Govt buildings to go 'green'

In tune with its climate change initiative, Delhi Government has begun the process of converting 15 existing government buildings into 'green buildings' by making them energy efficient.

In tune with its climate change initiative, Delhi Government has begun the process of converting 15 existing government buildings into 'green buildings' by making them energy efficient.

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State Environment Secretary Dharmendra said government will soon issue request for proposal (RPF) for the project, aimed at cutting down energy consumption in these buildings.

The Delhi Secretariat, which houses offices of Chief Minister and other Ministers, will also be converted into a green building under the project.

"The project is part of our climate change initiative. Although we have identified 15 buildings for the first phase, later more buildings will be covered under the project," he said.

As part of its energy conservation measures, Delhi Government has already decided to implement the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) for government buildings in the national capital.

The ECBC provides guidelines and norms for the energy efficient design and construction of buildings. It also provides guidelines for reducing energy requirement, environmentally benign design and construction techniques.

Dharmendra said the climate change agenda, prepared by the government, has suggested several measures to cut down energy consumption and the project to convert the buildings into 'green buildings' was part of that initiative.

One of the targets defined under Enhanced Energy Efficiency Mission is to retrofit 100 existing buildings with area above 10,000 sqft to make them energy efficient.

The environment department has already made solar water heater system mandatory in industries, hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, hotels, canteens and residential buildings having an area of 500 sq meter.

The government has been giving grant of Rs 6,000 for purchase of solar water heater to individuals to promote alternative source of energy. Dharmendra said the main aim of green building concept is to minimise demand for non-renewable sources and maximise its utilisation.

The Delhi Cabinet has already decided to implement the ECBC in all upcoming buildings with an aim to bring down average energy use by 25 to 40 per cent.

Officials said mandatory enforcement of the ECBC, which specifies various parameters including colour of roof, material used for construction, is expected to yield huge energy savings in new buildings.