The Energy Conservation Building Code, to be implemented in Kerala, is in the final stage. It can reduce the power consumption in each building to overcome the acute power shortage in the state.
The building code is similar to that of the guidelines issued by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency. After the code is accepted by the government, building permits will be issued to only those who comply with the energy efficient methods during the construction.
Energy Management Centre (EMC) director K M Dharesan Unnithan said that the building code had been finalised and it would be submitted to the government by the end of April.
With the code coming into force, the power consumption by the new commercial buildings would get reduced to more than half. According to Unnithan, a study conducted recently revealed that the power consumption in a square metre area a year was 300 to 350 units, whereas the normal consumption is 60 to 100 units.
There is a huge gap between the real power consumption and that which is actually needed for a building.
“When the code comes into force, the consumption will drastically come down to normal usage. When the building plan is prepared, the recommendations in the building code should also be included,” Unnithan said.
There is a need for restriction of power consumption as more commercial complexes are coming up in the state and there is no sufficient power to meet the requirement.
This will be applicable for those buildings which have a connected load of 100 KW or greater and it will also be ensured that there is natural lighting for the building and that the temperature level is kept low.
However, in the initial phase, this code will be applicable only for the commercial buildings.
In a later stage, it might be extended to residential apartments and houses.
This code is not only applicable for new construction works but also for renovation work. Before the code comes into force, awareness will be created among the public about the need for following the recommendations.