India’s Energy Conservation Building Code, 2017

  • November 9, 2023
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
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India’s Energy Conservation Building Code, 2017

Subject: Environment

Section: Climate Change

Context: The International Energy Agency (IEA) appreciated about India’s Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), 2017 in its World Energy Outlook 2023 report.

More about the news:

  • The International Energy Agency has recognized India as a noteworthy example of an emerging market and developing economy with energy efficiency building codes.
  • In its World Energy Outlook 2023 report, the IEA highlighted India’s Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) of 2017 for commercial buildings, distinguishing it from other developing economies where energy efficiency in buildings is less emphasized.
  • The ECBC was originally introduced by the Ministry of Power’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in 2007 and was updated in 2017.
  • Currently, 23 Indian states have implemented rules for enforcing ECBC compliance, while larger states like Maharashtra and Gujarat are in the process of drafting such regulations.
  • Implementing energy efficiency building codes is crucial because buildings in India account for 30% of total electricity consumption, a figure expected to rise to 50% by 2042.
  • Additionally, the BEE notes that 40% of the buildings to be constructed in the next two decades provide a unique opportunity for policymakers and builders to ensure their sustainability.

What is Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), 2017:

  • The Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) was first introduced by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a part of the Ministry of Power, in 2007. It underwent a revision in 2017.
  • While ECBC serves as a national standard, individual states in India have the flexibility to adapt and modify the code to address specific regional needs.
  • To enforce ECBC, each state must draft and notify rules to establish it as a state law.
  • Currently, 23 states in India have established regulations to enforce compliance with the ECBC. Some larger states like Maharashtra and Gujarat are in the process of formulating their rules for ECBC compliance.
  • The primary objective of ECBC is to establish minimum energy standards for commercial buildings, with the aim of achieving energy savings between 25% and 50% in compliant buildings.
  • ECBC is applicable to commercial structures such as hospitals, hotels, schools, shopping complexes, and multiplexes with a connected load of 100 kW or more or a contract demand of 120 kVA or more.
  • ECBC is designed to be applied to both new building constructions and the retrofitting of existing structures.
  • Compliant buildings receive one of three tags in ascending order of energy efficiency:
    • ECBC, 
    • ECBC Plus
    • Super ECBC.
  • The updated 2017 version of ECBC introduced several additional priorities, including renewable energy integration, simplified compliance procedures, inclusion of passive building design strategies, and greater flexibility for designers when compared to the 2007 version.

Where do states stand in ECBC implementation:

  • State Implementation:
    • While 23 out of 28 states in India have notified Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) rules, only 15 states have officially adopted the latest ECBC version from 2017. Notable among these are Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala.
    • Five states, namely Gujarat, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Manipur, are yet to notify ECBC rules.
  • State Energy Efficiency Index:
    • The Bureau of Energy Efficiency released the State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) in 2022, which assessed states on various aspects of energy efficiency.
    • In accordance with the SEEI, Karnataka secured the highest rank among states in terms of energy efficiency in buildings.
    • The top five large states with the best scores in energy efficiency were Karnataka, Telangana, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, and Punjab.
    • Bihar received the lowest score of 0.5 points in the index.

What is Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act in 2022

  • In 2022, India enacted the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, which brings significant changes to the country’s building codes.
  • This amendment introduces the transformation of the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) into the Energy Conservation and Sustainability Building Code.
  • This transformation involves the inclusion of provisions related to embedded carbon, achieving net zero emissions, enhancing materials and resource efficiency, promoting clean energy deployment, and fostering circular practices.
  • The amendment also mandates the adoption of ECO Niwas Samhita, the residential building energy code, which is pivotal since residential buildings account for 75 percent of the total electricity consumption in the building sector.
  • In the near future, the government is anticipated to revise and modernize ECO Niwas Samhita, after which states will proceed to implement rules based on the updated code.
Environment India’s Energy Conservation Building Code