The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the ministry of power, is preparing an energy conservation building code for the residential sector, reported IANS.

In June 2017, BEE had developed Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) 2017 for large commercial buildings with connected load of 100kW and above (or 120 kVA). The code was formulated with technical support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the U.S.-India bilateral Partnership to Advance Clean Energy – Deployment Technical Assistance (PACE-D TA) Program.

“We are in the process of developing an energy conservation building code for the residential sector. Architects, technology people and stakeholders are working on it,” Abhay Bakre, Director General of BEE, told IANS.

BEE is also looking at improving the energy efficiency of air-conditioners to save an estimated 40 GW of energy in air-conditioning alone, the official said. Earlier R.K. Singh, Minister for Power, had suggested that air-conditioner manufacturers should keep the default setting of air conditioners at 24 degree Celsius.

Speaking on the sidelines of Energy and Environment Conclave organised by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bakre also added, “About 7 million air conditioners are being sold yearly in the country. It is expected to reach 10.5 million in the next 5-6 years. By 2030, there could be possibility of saving about 40 GW of energy for cooling purpose alone if the technologies are improved and available at an affordable price.”

According to Bakre, since April 2016, 800 large consumers such as railways, distribution companies, refineries etc. in the industrial sector, which were consuming about 60 percent of the country’s energy, are expected to save energy of more than 8 million tonnes of oil equivalent in last three years and meet the target.

Recently, BEE and Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE), released the State Energy Efficiency Preparedness Index that assesses state policies and programs aimed at improving energy efficiency across various sectors.

Earlier this year,  Delhi government had released its draft Delhi Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) 2018. The draft ECBC aims to create minimum requirements for the energy-efficient design and construction of commercial buildings in the national capital.

Nitin is a staff reporter at Mercomindia.com and writes on renewable energy and related sectors. Prior to Mercom, Nitin has worked for CNN IBN, India News, Agricultural Spectrum and Bureaucracy Today. He received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism & Communication from Manipal Institute of Communication at Manipal University and Master’s degree in International Relations from Jindal School of International Affairs. More articles from Nitin Kabeer