The Indian Express 16.08.2012
‘Cool roofs’ mandatory for all new buildings
Having suffered the worst power blackouts in the city’s history on two consecutive days last fortnight due to a collapse of the Northern grid twice, the Delhi government is mulling plans to become more energy efficient.
In the wake of a recent study by Power Ministry’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency, which says electricity consumption can be brought down by 25 per cent with adoption of cool roofs. These roofs can deliver high solar reflectance, which is the ability to reflect visible infrared and ultraviolet rays of the sun. This reduces heat transfer to the building. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has directed all building construction and maintenance agencies to implement such roofs in upcoming private and government buildings.
The Chief Minister’s office has asked the agencies to promote reflection of light and heat by going for either of the two ways — a coating with a thick white paint on the roof, or by putting white tiles on roofs.
Senior government officials said no new application for building plans which does not have provision for implementing cool roofs will be passed.
“Completion certificates will be given only after implementing cool roof on buildings. All agencies, including the three Municipal corporations, DDA, PWD and NDMC have been issued directions to implement the same. These agencies will issue further notifications,” a senior official said.
New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) Chairperson Archna Arora said: “We will put in cool roofs for all new buildings. Depending on the mode adopted for cooling the roof and the roof type, this plan can be very beneficial for a city like Delhi.”
Delhi Power Secretary Shakti Sinha said Delhi could also go in for solar panels on all large roofs.Secretary for the Public Works Department, Nutan Guha Biswas said notification to this effect would be issued by the government’s Urban Development Department.“As an implementing agency, we would do the needful as per the notification,” she said.
