by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau State Building Energy Efficiency Code (BEEC) has been launched, which was birthed from concerns as regards power supply consumption and promotion of policies in the field of energy efficiency in building.
Speaking at the occasion, Director of Electrical Engineering Services, Engr. Cyill O. Onyeneke (from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing) said after a successful launch of BEEC at the Federal level, it become imperative to move to the States, in order to have sustainable national commitment to energy efficiency in building.
According to him, the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing (FMW&H) has been collaborating with Nigerian Energy Support Program/GIZ on Building Energy Efficiency Programme, in order to set minimum requirements on Building Energy and Enforcement since 2013.
He said the first phase saw the development of the Building Energy Efficiency Guideline (BEEG) in 20217, with the aim to give practical advice to professionals in building industry on how to design, construct and operate more energy efficient buildings.
He added that, it was also aimed at setting minimum requirements on Building Energy Efficiency and provide for proper implementation, control and enforcement.
The minister noted that, the programme has installed micra-grid and replacement of air conditioners with inverter air conditioners, while 400 air condition units have been replaced.
He expressed delight that this has brought savings of 37,920.5KWh per day, implying a savings of N9,100,922.88 per annum, adding that, “This comes to about 26 percent saving of energy and cost, while President Buhari commissioned the 1520kWp solar power PV plus micra-grid system and energy retrofitting of the FMWH in July, 2021.”
Speaking also, the Plateau State Commissioner for Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon. Idris Gambo, said the Building Energy Efficiency Code was birthed from concerns as regards power supply consumption and promotion of policies in the field of energy efficiency in building.
He said the NBEEC was launched in 2017 and Plateau State was lucky to be selected as one of the states where this Code would be established, based on the climatic conditions within the state.
According to him, the aim of the Plateau Building Energy Efficiency Code was to set minimum requirements on Building Energy Efficiency and to provide for the proper implementation, control and enforcement of the same in the state.
The commissioner further stated that, the Plateau State BEEC will open up employment opportunities for professionals, who would be engaged in the preparation of verification of documents after participating in the specified training and passing the examination.
He also assured that the State Government is committed to played its role in the drive towards a cleaner environment and, as a state, they are proud to have taken this significant step towards contributing to a sustainable building industry not only in the North Central, but also throughout Nigeria.
Also speaking at the launch, Head of Cooperation at the EU to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Inga STEFANOWICZ, said, with the help of Technical Working Group (TWG) and stakeholders, Inter-ministerial committee on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Six Target States – Lagos, Edo, Plateau, Kaduna, Enugu and Adamawa – were selected at first.
The Head of the Cooperation said, the results of the technical study conducted in Plateau indicate that, if the BEEC requirements are adopted for two building types identified residential and offices, realistic electricity saving in the range of 10 percent to 34 percent would be achievable.
The EU remains steadfast in providing the necessary support for the energy sector in Nigeria, particularly this activity, which would be critical to the reduction of energy waste as well as lower great house gas emissions and other pollutants.
