Beijing government to set example in energy efficiency

BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Ten departments of the Beijing municipal government have promised to cut their office buildings' energy consumption by 20 percent next year, an official with the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform said.

Energy management companies would be employed next year to offer professional services to government departments and help them become more energy-efficient, Friday's China Daily quoted Huang Qian, an official with the Beijing commission, as saying.

The 10 departments include the Municipal Commission of Development and Reform, the Bureau of Tourism, the Public Security Bureau and Chaoyang District government.

The per capita energy consumption of Beijing government departments' office buildings was 1.45 tons of standard coal in 2004, 3.2 times more than the city's average.

Problems have been found with the operational efficiency and management of these buildings.

It was also found that these governmental departments had failed to use energy-efficient equipment and appear to be relatively unaware about energy saving.

Energy management companies will advise on the installation of energy efficient lighting, ventilation, air-conditioning and heating systems with particular focus on electricity supply.

With the installation of more energy efficient systems, the 10 departments would save some 6 million yuan (740,000 U.S. dollars) a year.

Other public buildings, such as hotels, shopping malls and office buildings, would also be required to take measures to reduce energy consumption.

This summer, Beijing advised big buildings to keep air- conditioning temperatures above 26 degrees Celsius to save electricity.