Dr Farooq Abdullah minister of new and renewable energy informed the Lok Sabha that his ministry is implementing a program on Energy Efficient Solar/Green buildings which aims to promote the construction of energy efficient solar/green buildings including a green building rating system-Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment.
Further, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency has also developed Energy Conservation Building Code for ensuring energy efficiency in buildings. These are voluntary and are not proposed to be mandatory. However, the Committee of Secretaries has recommended for adoption of GRIHA ratings by Government/PSUs buildings.
The GRIHA Rating System and ECBC are applicable for the construction of new buildings. Under various programs of the Ministry, installation of renewable energy systems and devices is being promoted in the country in the existing buildings also including buildings in the Government sector. The Ministry is also providing incentives under the Energy Efficient Solar/Green Building Program towards capacity buildings, awareness etc. for the green buildings.
So far, 91 projects from various Government Departments, Public Sector Undertakings and Educational Institutions including All India Institutes of Medical Sciences, with a total 3.4 million square meter built up area have been registered for the construction based on green rating norms for acquiring GRIHA Ratings.
In addition, 16 Evaluators & Trainers Workshops for providing training to the Architects, Engineers and Officials from Central & State Governments and PSUs including Central Public Works Department, National Buildings Construction Corporation, National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd. etc. have been organized in the country. About 158 Trainers and 158 Evaluators have been trained through these training workshops who are further promoting green buildings in the country.
