ECBC: HIGH ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS

India’s Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), 2017, has earned recognition from the International Energy Agency (IEA) as a “notable exception” among developing countries for its high energy efficiency standards.

About ECBC:

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) introduced the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) in 2007 and updated it in 2017. Aimed at commercial buildings with a connected load of 100 kW or more, the code sets minimum energy standards, targeting energy savings of 25-50%. Applicable to new and existing buildings, it assesses parameters like building design, lighting systems, and renewable energy integration. Compliant buildings receive tags in ascending order of efficiency:

1. ECBC

2. ECBC Plus

3. Super ECBC

Out of 28 states, 23 have notified Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) rules, but only 15 have adopted the latest ECBC from 2017.

The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022 includes transitioning ECBC into the Energy Conservation and Sustainability Building Code, incorporating measures for sustainability, and mandating ECO Niwas Samhita for residential buildings, addressing the importance of energy efficiency in the sector.

ENERGY CONSERVATION BUILDING CODE 2017 (With Amendments upto 2020)

 

Visakhapatnam to get Andhra Pradesh’s first energy saving building

 

Visakhapatnam will get Andhra Pradesh's first model super ECBC (energy conservation building code)-complaint building. The Union Ministry of Power-led Bureau of Energy Efficiency has come forward to offer financial support to Andhra Pradesh State Energy Conservation Mission for construction of this super ECBC-compliant building in Visakhapatnam. According to the state officials, this will be the third such building in the country.

The super ECBC buildings aim towards a near zero energy consumption for new commercial buildings and are more efficient than the normal ECBC buildings. The ECBC buildings consume 25 percent less energy, while the super ECBC buildings save around 50 percent electricity. With addition of renewable energy on-site, the super ECBC buildings can easily become net zero in energy consumption.

Andhra Pradesh has adopted ECBC-2017 code and included it in building bylaws. The state incorporated the ECBC compliance in the online development permission management system. Andhra Pradesh is the only state in the country that has issued a government order for setting up energy conservation cells in all government departments.