Energy conservation made mandatory

The Union Government is keen to make it mandatory to implement rules pertaining to energy conservation. It wants to bring out Energy Conservation Cod for new buildings. It wants to save Rs 1.20 lakh crore by 2030 by saving 300 billion units of power. Adhering to the code would increase cost of construction by two to three per cent, but the cost is recoverable in four or five years, according to a government official. Residential complex having 20 1 BHKs and 10 2BHKs and that use 100 kilowatts of power will come under the purview of the code. The government is keen to reduce power consumption by 45 percent by 2030. Currently, the code is applicable to commercial buildings alone. Hence forth, the government has decided to apply it to the residential buildings too. It will come into force upon ratification by the Union Cabinet.