Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited will soon construct only energy efficient buildings that will have a minimum of a three-star rating. The government agency has tied up with TERI to develop designs and build capacity in the sector of energy efficiency. In the near future, three buildings in the NCR, including two in Noida, will be constructed on this principle.
Sources said HUDCO would incorporate energy efficient codes into all its future construction work, though these were just preliminary plans. “Initially the focus will be on only new buildings. TERI has expertise in energy efficient buildings having developed GRIHA, India’s national rating system for green buildings, while HUDCO has great experience in construction work. Through this MoU the two organizations have agreed to jointly promote the cause of green building design. The main areas of cooperation will be promotional activities, incentive package, capacity building and joint research,” said sources.
TERI officials pointed out that buildings are responsible for at least 40% of energy use in most countries and are major contributors to global emissions. Having energy efficient buildings in India is even more crucial as the construction sector is witnessing a massive growth rate. Dr R K Pachauri, director general, TERI, said: “With the high rates of economic growth that India is registering and is likely to achieve in the future, a major expansion in infrastructure is bound to take place in the coming years. To ensure efficient use of resources, including energy, lower levels of environmental impacts and meeting the challenge of climate change, it is essential that we carry out greening of India’s infrastructure.”
VP Baligar, chairman and managing director, HUDCO, added: “Under the purview of this MoU, TERI and HUDCO have agreed to promote Government of India’s directive that all buildings constructed by the central government/PSUs should at least aim to achieve three-star rating of green building, which means energy conservation shall be central in planning, design and construction.”
