Bhubaneswar: A two-day regional workshop on the implementation of the Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC) concluded successfully in Bhubaneswar, marking a significant push toward promoting energy-efficient and eco-friendly construction practices in eastern India. The event was jointly organized by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power, Government of India, and the Chief Engineer (Electricity) and Chief Electricity Inspector-cum-State Designated Agency (SDA) under the Energy Department, Government of Odisha.
Held on July 3 and 4, the workshop brought together top officials, technical experts, and stakeholders from five Eastern states—Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Bihar—to discuss the adoption and effective implementation of the ECSBC.
The ECSBC aims to improve energy efficiency, promote renewable energy integration, and encourage environmentally responsible construction for buildings with a connected load of 100 kW or more. The code sets minimum energy performance standards for new commercial buildings and retrofits, ensuring that urban growth aligns with India’s climate commitments and energy goals.
Vishal Kumar Dev, Principal Secretary of the Energy Department, and Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development and Commerce & Transport Departments, graced the workshop as chief guests. In their addresses, they emphasized the urgent need for mainstreaming energy efficiency in urban infrastructure planning, especially in the context of rapid urbanization in the eastern region.
Parvatanalini Samal, Director at the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, outlined the Centre’s efforts to support states through technical and capacity-building measures to implement ECSBC norms effectively. She also highlighted the role of ECSBC in supporting India’s transition toward net-zero goals and sustainable urban development.
Delivering the welcome address, Pyarimohan Mishra, Chief Engineer (Electricity) and Principal Inspector of Electricity, Energy Department, Government of Odisha, underscored the state’s proactive steps in implementing energy efficiency codes and the broader benefits of ECSBC in reducing electricity consumption, lowering carbon footprints, and improving thermal comfort in buildings.
The workshop featured technical sessions on code compliance, model building codes, integration of renewable energy, and capacity building of local urban bodies and regulatory authorities. Experts from BEE, state SDAs, and urban development departments shared insights, experiences, and best practices to encourage uniform adoption across the region.
The event concluded with a collective commitment by participating states to accelerate ECSBC implementation, develop local capacity, and ensure the energy code is seamlessly integrated into state-specific building bylaws. The workshop marks a vital step toward a sustainable future, aligning regional efforts with the nation’s broader climate and energy efficiency objectives.