Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), 2017

Think of ECBC as a rulebook for energy-smart buildings.

📌 What is ECBC?

The Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) was first introduced in 2007 and later updated in 2017 by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power.

Its core idea is simple yet powerful:

“If a building consumes large amounts of energy, it must follow minimum efficiency standards.”

📌 Applicability

ECBC applies to:

• Commercial buildings (both government and private)
• Buildings with:
  • Connected load ≥ 100 kW, or
  • Contract demand ≥ 120 kVA
• Examples → Hospitals, Shopping complexes, Large office buildings
• Applicable to:
  • New buildings
  • Retrofitted existing buildings

Performance Levels under ECBC

ECBC is not a rigid, one-size-fits-all code. Instead, it encourages progressive improvement through three voluntary tiers:

Level	Meaning
ECBC	Basic minimum energy efficiency
ECBC Plus	Higher energy savings
Super ECBC	Very high efficiency, near-best practices

👉 Each higher level delivers greater energy savings compared to conventional buildings.

📉 Overall Impact:
Buildings compliant with ECBC can achieve 25–50% energy savings.

What Parts of a Building Does ECBC Focus On?

ECBC targets the major energy-consuming components of a building:

🏢 Building Envelope: Walls, Roofs, Windows
👉 Controls heat gain and loss, reducing cooling/heating demand.
💡 Lighting Systems → Energy-efficient lighting design, Optimised illumination levels
❄️ HVAC Systems → Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning
👉 HVAC is often the largest energy consumer in commercial buildings.
⚡ Electrical Power Systems →Efficient transformers, Motors and power distribution

ECBC: National Code, State-Level Enforcement

Although ECBC is a National Standard, states have the power to modify and notify it according to local climatic and administrative needs.

📌 Current Status:

• 23 Indian states have notified ECBC rules
• Large states like Maharashtra and Gujarat are still drafting their regulations

👉 This highlights a classic Centre–State coordination issue in energy governance.

Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022

This is a very important legislative upgrade.

🔄 What Changed?

The Energy Conservation Act, 2001 was amended in 2022, and ECBC was expanded into the
👉 Energy Conservation and Sustainability Building Code (ECSBC)

Objectives of the Amendment Act

The Act aims to:

• Promote efficient energy use
• Encourage carbon-neutral technologies
• Support India’s climate commitments
• Help achieve Net-Zero Emissions by 2070

Key Provisions of Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022

Carbon Credit Trading Scheme

• Government empowered to create a carbon market
• Carbon Credit:

A tradable permit allowing emission of 1 tonne of CO₂ or equivalent GHG

👉 Introduces market-based climate mitigation

Mandatory Renewable Energy Use

• Designated consumers must use:
  • Renewable energy
  • Carbon-neutral technologies

Energy Service Companies (ESCOs)

• Entities that:
  • Provide energy efficiency services
  • Help consumers reduce energy consumption
  • Often operate on performance-linked contracts

Expanded Scope of Building Codes

Government may now prescribe codes for → Residential buildings, Commercial buildings, Industrial buildings, public buildings

Inclusion of Transport Sector

• Scope expanded to:
  • Vehicles (Motor Vehicles Act, 1988)
  • Vessels (ships, boats)

👉 Marks a shift from static energy users to mobile sources of emissions.

Stricter Penalties

• Enhanced fines for:
  • Non-compliance
  • Violation of rules and standards

Major Energy Conservation Initiatives in India

Standards and Labelling (S&L) Programme – 2006

• Helps consumers make informed choices
• Shows:
  • Energy consumption
  • Cost-saving potential

National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE)

• One of the 8 missions under NAPCC
• Focuses on:
  • Industrial efficiency
  • Market-based mechanisms

UJALA Scheme (2015)

Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All: Distribution of → LED bulbs, LED tube lights, Energy-efficient fans
→ Replaces inefficient conventional appliances

👉 One of India’s most successful energy efficiency programmes.