BEE and TERI Inaugurate ECSBC Master Trainer Programme to Advance Energy-Efficient and Sustainable Buildings Across India

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power, Government of India, in collaboration with TERI, inaugurated the first batch of the ECSBC Master Trainer Programme at the TERI Retreat Centre, Gurugram. The programme marks a significant step towards strengthening national capacity for the implementation and dissemination of the Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC) 2024 and Eco Niwas Samhita (ENS) 2024, supporting India's transition towards an energy-efficient, climate-responsive, and sustainable built environment.

The five-day residential programme brings together architects, engineers, energy managers, sustainability professionals, government officials, researchers, academicians, and existing ECBC Master Trainers from across the country. The initiative aims to create a network of certified Master Trainers who can support awareness generation, capacity building, and effective implementation of ECSBC and ENS at national, state, and local levels.

Welcoming the participants, Mr Sanjay Seth, Senior Director, TERI, highlighted the growing importance of the building sector in India's sustainable development journey. He emphasized that rapid urbanization, increasing cooling requirements, and rising energy demand underscore the need for integrating energy efficiency into building planning, design, construction, and operation. He noted that capacity-building initiatives such as the ECSBC Master Trainer Programme play a crucial role in translating policy intent into on-ground action by equipping professionals with the technical knowledge and practical skills required for code implementation.

Setting the context for the programme, Ms Pravatanalini Samal, Director, BEE, emphasized the importance of strengthening institutional and professional capacities to support the effective adoption of ECSBC and ENS across the country. She highlighted that building energy codes are becoming increasingly important policy instruments for reducing energy consumption in both commercial and residential buildings while contributing to India's commitments towards energy security, sustainable development, and climate action. She stressed the need for greater awareness, stakeholder engagement, and technical expertise to accelerate the implementation of energy conservation measures in the building sector.

Delivering the keynote address, Shri Krushna Chandra Panigrahy, Director General, BEE, highlighted the critical role of energy-efficient buildings in addressing the growing energy demand associated with India's urban expansion. He underscored that the building sector offers significant opportunities for reducing energy consumption and improving resource efficiency through better design, technology adoption, and compliance with energy codes. He emphasized that ECSBC and ENS provide a robust framework for mainstreaming sustainable building practices and called upon participants to serve as ambassadors of energy efficiency, helping accelerate the adoption of building energy codes across the country.

The inaugural session reaffirmed the shared commitment of BEE and TERI towards fostering a skilled workforce capable of supporting the implementation of energy-efficient building policies and practices. Participants were encouraged to leverage the knowledge gained through the programme to promote sustainable design approaches, strengthen compliance mechanisms, and contribute to the development of high-performance buildings that are both energy efficient and occupant-centric.

The programme has been designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the technical, regulatory, and practical aspects of ECSBC and ENS implementation. The curriculum covers the policy framework for energy conservation and sustainable buildings, ECSBC and ENS requirements, building envelope design, energy-efficient lighting and electrical systems, climate-responsive architecture, building materials and insulation, sustainable site planning, water conservation, waste management, indoor environmental quality, HVAC systems, building energy management, and performance monitoring.

A key feature of the programme is its strong focus on practical learning through role-playing exercises, simulation-based training, case studies, group discussions, and hands-on sessions on daylight and energy simulations for ECSBC compliance evaluation. Participants will also gain exposure to building performance assessment methodologies and compliance workflows, enabling them to effectively guide future projects towards achieving code compliance and enhanced energy performance.

The programme will conclude with a final assessment and participant presentations, following which successful candidates will be certified as ECSBC Master Trainers. These certified professionals are expected to play a pivotal role in supporting state governments, urban local bodies, industry stakeholders, and educational institutions in advancing the implementation of ECSBC and ENS across India.

The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Tarishi Kaushik, Fellow, TERI, who expressed gratitude to BEE, TERI leadership, trainers, and participants for their commitment towards advancing energy efficiency and sustainability in India's building sector.

By creating a national cadre of trained and certified experts, the ECSBC Master Trainer Programme seeks to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient and sustainable building practices, strengthen compliance with building energy codes, and contribute to India's broader goals of reducing energy intensity, enhancing resource efficiency, and achieving a low-carbon future.