The southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are gearing up to implement the Energy Conservation Building Code. The two state governments recently invited Expression of Interest for empanelment of architects and mechanical, electrical and plumbing firms as third-party assessors for implementing the code.
The ECBC was launched in May 2007 by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power, with the objective of establishing minimum requirements for energy efficient design and construction of buildings. Since the launch, several initiatives have been taken by BEE to implement the ECBC across the country.
In January this year, the Andhra Pradesh government had issued a notification adopting the ECBC in mandatory compliance mode. A technical committee constituted by the state government for implementation of the Code recommended the TPA model for ensuring compliance. As per the committee’s recommendations, a TPA would check the building design for compliance with ECBC norms and then certify the design submitted by the developer in two stages – before construction of the building and after completion. Based on certification by TPAs, permission would be granted in two stages – at construction approval stage and after completion of construction prior to occupancy of the building.
In Andhra Pradesh, the TPAs will be empanelled with the New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh and Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department. The designated agencies for empanelling the TPAs in Telangana are Telangana New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation Ltd and the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department.
In both states, the last date for submitting RfP for empanelment as TPA is November 10, 2014.
