Thailand: BEC energy standard to come into force

Thailand: BEC energy standard to come into force

New buildings with total usage areas of more than 10,000 square metres will
be forced to apply the national building energy code (BEC), an
internationally recognised energy-saving standard.

The Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE) is
expected to implement the BEC standard as a new ministerial regulation early
next year.

The move is part of the government's policy to improve the energy-efficiency
standard of buildings.

The policy was implemented on a voluntary basis in 1992, when the country's
economy, especially the property sector, was booming.

The imposition, coupled with low energy prices at the time, made the policy
unattractive to both laymen and property developers.

When global oil prices started to rise substantially in 2006, policymakers
began to issue several measures and supporting programmes to help modify
houses and buildings to be energy-efficient.

At the same time, several energy service companies (Escos) emerged in the
Thai market to help save energy.

The BEC standard covers the level of thermal transfer and energy
requirements of electronic equipment, particularly air conditioners and
light bulbs.

The new BEC standard will first target large buildings with usage area of
more than 10,000 sq m to cut energy consumption by at least 10%, relative to
older buildings of similar size.

The BEC standard will apply to buildings with total usage area of
5,000-10,000 sq m by 2019 and smaller buildings of 2,000-5,000 sq m within
2020.

The BEC standard is expected to be introduced to all buildings in the
future, including office towers, hotels, hospitals, large retailers and
educational institutes.

DEDE director-general Praphon Wongtharua said old buildings will also need
to incorporate the BEC standard if they are renovated.

He said building owners who lack the liquidity to renovate properties can
apply for soft loans from the Energy Conservation Fund via commercial banks.

More than 60 Esco service providers also registered with the DEDE to help
provide energy-saving services if building owners are in need.

Mr Praphon said a total of 4.5 billion baht in soft loans has been set aside
for the project.

He said the new BEC standard is expected to be welcomed by Thai property
developers because many companies are growing more concerned about saving
energy.

The DEDE yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with local leading
property developers in order to carry out the BEC standard, including Pruksa
Real Estate, Narai Property, Central Pattana, Ananda Development and Siam
Cement Group.

The promotion of energy savings for low-rise housing projects is the next
step of the national energy savings plan for 2015-36, which aims to cut
energy consumption by 30% within 2036, Mr Praphon said.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Link to Original Article:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/1229084/bec-energy-standard-to-come
-into-force

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com