Out of 100,000 MW solar power, 40,000 MW will be in the form of rooftop solar power -Tripathi

Congratulating the GRIHA team for creating a “100% indigenous green building rating system”, at the inaugural session of the 7th GRIHA Summit, Dr. A. K. Tripathi, Director, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, said, “Out of the 100,000 MW solar power, 40,000 MW will be in the form of rooftop solar power, which translates fully into the building stock, which
directly relates to green buildings. 26 states and UTs have established guidelines for rooftop solar power which will definitely add to the overall effort of enabling green building.” He also said that the Hon’ble Prime Minster has put special focus on RE by including it in Pragati Review.

“We are also making efforts to incorporate green architecture into civil engineering and architecture based courses,” Dr Tripathi further added.

Dr Ajay Mathur, Director-General, TERI & President, GRIHA Council said, “The dovetailing between BEE and GRIHA’s works has led us to a process where we have an example of what good, clean and liveable buildings can be like. Considering that two-thirds of infrastructure to exist in 2030 is yet to be built, it presents us with a huge opportunity to ensure that all new buildings are green. With the strong support of MNRE, GRIHA provides a platform to both enable and ensure this green-ness.”

Expressing pleasure at the engagement with GRIHA, Mr. Pau Abello Pellicer, MD, Parryware, commented in his special remarks, “Parryware’s commitment to environment conservation has led to innovate the eco-range of sustainable products like high efficiency flushing systems, sensor operated faucets, shower panels, waterless urinals. These products meet the GRIHA parameters and are endorsed by it. We’re also working on energy, water and GHG footprint reduction projects. This accomplishment asserts the fact that our products support the cause of green buildings.”

Setting the theme of the Summit, Ms Mili Majumdar, Secretary cum Treasurer, GRIHA Council, said, “The annual Summit reflects TERI and GRIHA Council’s continued commitment to the cause and mission of Sustainable habitats. GRIHA is committed to contribute India’s INDC goals and shall ensure that sustainability as a concept touches all strata of our society and reaches all homes and habitats in the country”.

The narrative of sustainability and green buildings assumes even greater importance at present as India’s ‘Smart Cities’ initiative mandates 80% buildings in the shortlisted cities to be green. The GRIHA rating system has also been acknowledged as India’s own green building rating system in the INDCs submitted by India to UNFCCC.

Thus, with a view to transforming our urban centres into smarter, high-performance habitats, THE GRIHA Summit would be hosting discussions over the next two days around vital sustainability issues - energy and water management, innovation in transport, and recovery from waste at building, campus, and city level. The Summit will see the presence of representatives from government and private entities alike, who will share their ideas and examine the current endeavours in sustainable design, both at micro and macro level that will be showcased during the programme.

As a prelude to the main conference, the Summit also hosted a set of side events along with an exhibition of a multitude of green products, all aimed at transforming the discussion of sustainability and green buildings into a comprehensive and prolific experience for the attendees. The programme will culminate into a site visit of a GRIHA registered project - Solar Energy Centre, Gurgaon on 20 February. This visit will be an opportunity to explore the on-site implementation of the much discussed green practices in this sector.

About GRIHA Council
TERI-GRIHA (developed by TERI) was launched in 2005, which was subsequently adopted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India in 2007. GRIHA Council was established jointly by TERI, MNRE and other stakeholders as an independent body for further development and operationalisation of GRIHA in 2009. GRIHA is a tool developed by TERI, with an objective to ensure energy-efficient building construction. It is a tool that combines initiatives essential for mainstreaming sustainable habitats in India. It helps to design, build, operate and maintain a resource-efficient built environment.