ISLAMABAD: National Energy Conservation Centre (ENERCON) has proposed appointment of Energy Managers in major buildings of the country to save electricity and alleviate the prevailing energy crisis.
The non-implementation of building energy code, prepared in collaboration with Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), Pakistan has been losing 2,500-3,000 MW electricity and more than $ 7 billion a year in foreign exchange for the national kitty.
A senior official at ENERCON on Saturday told APP that energy survey of Pak Secretariat Islamabad has been completed which showed potential of around 38 percent energy saving in all blocks of the building.
“No doubt blocks of Pak Secretariat were constructed in 60s, but we need to meet the modern energy requirements in view of the current power situation in the country,” he said.
The official said following energy audit report of all blocks, the Commission has suggested the administration to hire Energy Managers who would prepare power saving plans and monitor the situation on regular basis.
He said finances are required for ensuring energy saving and in this regard, the administration was also asked to include expenditures in the routine maintenance budget.
Regarding draft Building Energy Code - 2011, he this has been finalized with the objective to reduce the electric load in the buildings and saving around 30 percent power for the national grid.
The official said PEC's Governing Body would meet in September to endorse the Code.
Then the draft Code would be sent to Law Division for approval, he said and added the Code, expected to be notified in near future, would play a significant role in reducing the energy crisis.
In view of persistent energy shortfall it has become imperative to design better systems that minimize energy consumption and improve efficiency, the official. The Pakistan Building Code would ensure energy efficiency benchmarks for buildings, he said. The government had mandated ENERCON to act as the national coordinator for energy conservation measures and policy and in this regard it approached PEC for developing Building Code of Pakistan.
The PEC, being the statutory body for the development of building codes constituted a task force for said code development and the implementation and enforcement of this Code vests with Ministry of Housing and Works, through concerned authorities.
About the major benefits of the Code, the official said with efficient appliances, we can enhance the overall efficiency of national economy.
He said that if improvements in energy efficiency averted 20% of our projected energy demand over the next 25 years, Pakistan would need U.S. $ 10 billion less in hard currency for capital investments in power plants, transmission lines, and fuel.
He said by boosting energy efficiency, standards also enhance consumer welfare while efficiency standards and improved products can make local businesses more profitable and make local appliance, lighting, and motor manufacturers more competitive in the global marketplace.
Efficiency standards can also help a country meet climate change goals and avert urban/regional pollution. Reducing energy consumption decreases both carbon and other emissions from fossil-fueled power plants, he added.
Dear visitor, the comments section is undergoing an overhaul and will return soon.