Following is a question by the Hon Lee Wing-tat and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (May 16) :
Question:
Regarding the energy efficiency of buildings, will the Government inform this Council whether:
(a) any benchmark survey has been conducted on the energy efficiency performance of existing buildings; if it has, of the results of the survey;
(b) new government buildings are required to achieve certain energy efficiency standards and targets; if so, of the details of such requirements; and
(c) property developers are encouraged to reduce the use of glass curtain wall design in new buildings, and use energy-saving building materials as far as possible?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) Between 2000 and 2004, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) conducted benchmark surveys on the energy efficiency performance of selected groups of buildings and used the findings to develop energy consumption indicators and benchmarks. The groups of buildings covered by the surveys include offices, shops, hotels and boarding houses, universities, post-secondary colleges and schools, hospitals and clinics. Energy consumption indicators of different groups of buildings are available on the EMSD website and the public can use the benchmarking tool developed by the EMSD for comparing energy consumption of their premises with the average energy consumption of similar premises. This could help the public set energy consumption targets and draw up measures for reducing energy consumption.
(b) In November 2005, the Government issued a technical circular requiring all works departments to apply energy efficient features in new Government buildings and retrofit projects. All new Government buildings and retrofit projects are also required to fully comply with the Building Energy Codes issued by the EMSD.
To achieve energy conservation objectives, we also actively promote good energy management methods in government buildings, such as conducting energy audits, strengthening house-keeping practices, maintaining air-conditioning room temperature at 25.5°C in summer, and using electrical appliances and office equipments bearing energy labels.
(c) Under the Building (Energy Efficiency) Regulation, all commercial buildings and hotels shall be designed and constructed in a way that can achieve energy efficiency to the satisfaction of the Building Authority. The Code of Practice for Overall Thermal Transfer Value in Buildings promulgated by the Buildings Department provides technical guidance on building design and use of construction materials to people involved in the design and construction of buildings.
In addition, the EMSD has compiled five sets of Building Energy Codes since 1998 and launched the Energy Efficiency Registration Scheme for Buildings to encourage the implementation of various energy conservation measures in local buildings in accordance with the Codes to reduce energy consumption.
End/Wednesday, May 16, 2007
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