Bhubaneswar, Dec. 13: The development authority has made the use of energy-efficient systems for multi-storey structures in the city mandatory to force residents to stick to green building concept by reducing energy consumption in houses.

An official of the Bhubaneswar Development Authority said that on October 31 the state government had approved the amendment in the BDA Planning and Building Standard Regulation.

The norm would force use of solar water heaters for single houses and rooftop solar heating system in upcoming high-rise buildings in the city.

“This would help in reducing energy use in houses. Besides, there is provision in the law for granting 0.25 extra floor area ratio (FAR) to those buildings implementing the green energy concept. We are enforcing it and the use of such system is compulsory. In future, we will think about the penalty provisions,” he said.

He said the FAR was the area of construction allowed upwards with respect to the breadth of road passing nearby, and at present, the authority allowed a maximum of 2.75FAR for any building.

Experts from the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, development authority, state energy department and private organisations working on sustainable energy use today highlighted the need and other aspects of sustainable buildings in a workshop held here by the authority and the Centre for Science and Environment.

Planning member of the authority Pitabasha Sahoo said mandatory use of energy saving systems in buildings during construction would be immense help in reducing energy consumption later. The empanelled architects have been imparted training for assisting people in such buildings.

“If we comply with proper energy-efficient building plans under the Odisha Energy Conservation in Building Codes (ECBC), 2011, that has been implemented in the BDA regulation, it will be helpful,” he said.

Anumita Roychowdhury of the centre said there had been several flaws in the ECBC, but many states had been amending the act.

“There is a need of widespread awareness and proper enforcement by state agencies. Odisha is one of the few states that have started implementing it. People must construct their houses understanding their climatic and other local factor, which will reduce energy consumption to a large extent,” she said.