Beijing to set example for energy efficiency By Guan Xiaofeng (China Daily) Updated: 2005-12-30 05:54
Ten governmental departments of the Beijing municipal government have
promised to cut their office buildings' energy consumption by 20 per cent next
year, an official with the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and
Reform announced yesterday.
Huang Qian, an official with the commission, said energy management companies
would be employed to offer professional services to governmental departments to
help them become more energy-efficient.
The 10 departments include the Commission of Development and Reform, the
Bureau of Tourism, the Public Security Bureau and Chaoyang District government.
According to the commission, in 2004, the per capita energy consumption of
the departments' office buildings was 1.45 tons of standard coal, 3.2 times more
than the city's average.
Problems have been found with the operational efficiency and management of
these buildings.
It was also found that these governmental departments had failed to use
energy-efficient equipment and appear to be relatively unaware about energy
saving.
The energy management companies will advise on the installation of energy
efficient lighting, ventilation, air-conditioning and heating systems with
particular focus on electricity supply.
Huang estimated that with the installation of more energy efficient systems,
the 10 departments would save more than 6 million yuan (US$740,000) each year.
"Beijing has been chosen by the central government as a pilot study in the
formation of a circular economy," Huang said. "We plan to start by improving
energy efficiency within governmental departments, in the hope that they will
serve as an example to the rest of society."
Huang said the municipal government would allocate special funds to improve
the energy efficiency of governmental buildings next year.
Other public buildings, such as hotels, shopping malls and office buildings,
would also be required to take measures to reduce energy consumption.
Statistics showed that large buildings that each cover a land area above
20,000 square metres account for 5.4 per cent of Beijing's total construction
area, but consume 50 per cent of the electricity.
This summer, Beijing advised big buildings to keep air-conditioning
temperatures above 26 C to save electricity, according to the commission.
The commission has also achieved its goal of introducing 320,000 energy
efficient lighting products to public institutions, such as governmental
departments, hotels, office buildings, schools and hospitals.
The total amount of electricity saved with the use of these lighting products
amounted to 20.5 million kwh (equal to 8,200 tons of standard coal), or 16.4
million yuan (US$2 million).
(China Daily 12/30/2005 page2)
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