The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Kalam calls for energy efficient buildings

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 15, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Kalam calls for energy efficient buildings

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, JULY 14. The President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, has called for coordinated efforts between architects, builders and energy engineers to develop energy efficient buildings in India to meet the challenge of power shortage. Speaking after the inauguration of the CII Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre (GBC) here on Wednesday, Dr. Kalam said for a normally constructed building, the annual energy consumption was 300 kwh for every square metre. This could easily be brought down to 140 kwh with proper design but India should aim for achieving 100 kwh in the next five years.

Similarly, energy efficient lighting systems would lead to substantial reduction in energy demand. The Governor, Surjit Singh Barnala, appreciated the efforts of CII for developing such an energy efficient building and said that it would become an inspiration for others to emulate.

The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, called on the CII to take the initiative for developing bio-diesel plantations, manufacture and use.

Jamshyd N. Godrej, Chairman, CII-Godrej GBC said this was the first step towards making India a leader in `Green Business'. He said the GBC used only 50 kwh of energy annually for every square metre. The GBC is only the third building in the world to be awarded the `platinum rating' by the US Green Building Council. It has zero water discharge with rainwater harvesting, minimum disturbance of the site and energy efficiency through wind towers, roof gardens, use of daylight and use of double glazed windows.

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