The Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance which provides a legal basis for the mandatory implementation of the Building Energy Codes was gazetted today.
The codes specify basic energy efficiency standards for four major types of building
services installations
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air-conditioning, electrical, lifts and escalators, and lighting.
Buildings account for 89% of the total electricity consumed in Hong Kong. At the design and occupation-approval stages, new public and private buildings the ordinance covers must have declarations that they meet relevant requirements.
Buildings services installations at new buildings under the ordinance's coverage must comply with the codes at all times.
Existing buildings' energy efficiency must be enhanced when they undergo major retrofitting works. There must be energy audits of commercial buildings' common areas and commercial portions of composite buildings once every 10 years. The results should be exhibited in a conspicuous position at the buildings' main entrance.
The Environment Bureau expects that for new buildings, the implementation of the ordinance's proposals will result in energy savings of 2.8 billion kWh in the first decade, leading to a 1.96 million tonne cut in carbon-dioxide emissions.
Subsidiary legislation will also be prepared for registering qualified people as Registered Energy Assessors during the 18-month period before the main parts of the ordinance commence.
