Government proposes mandatory energy ratings for large buildings above 20,000 sq metres

New Delhi: The government has proposed making energy performance ratings mandatory for all new commercial and institutional buildings with a built-up area of 20,000 square metres or more with an aim to push energy efficiency in one of India's fastest-growing electricity-consuming sectors.

Under a draft notification issued by the power ministry to amend the Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code, owners of all new large buildings and building complexes whose construction begins after the notification will have to obtain an energy rating either from the through the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) or a registered rating agency.

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The proposed framework aims to create a nationally recognised system for assessing and disclosing the energy performance of buildings. It seeks to standardise energy performance assessments, improve transparency, encourage adoption of energy-efficient building designs and technologies, and help consumers compare buildings on their energy efficiency.

" The building sector is one of the fastest-growing energy-consuming sectors in India, driven by rapid urbanisation, increasing commercial activity, expanding infrastructure, and rising demand for thermal comfort," an explanatory note to the notification said.