Written Answer

Average Annual Electricity Consumption for Commercial Buildings from 2013 to 2017

10 July 2018 · Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment

Speakers

Saktiandi Supaat Masagos Zulkifli B M M (Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs)

Summary

This question concerns average annual electricity consumption in commercial buildings, standard air-conditioning temperatures, and initiatives to reduce carbon footprints. Mr Saktiandi Supaat inquired about five-year consumption trends and campaigns to encourage higher thermostat settings to lower energy usage. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli B M M stated that annual consumption averaged 6,276 GWh between 2012 and 2016, with energy intensity improving by 7%. He noted that while 25°C is recommended, the Building and Construction Authority’s Green Mark scheme incentivizes indoor temperatures between 24°C and 26°C. The Ministry will collaborate with the Building and Construction Authority on programs under the Green Building Masterplan to encourage owners and tenants to reduce energy consumption.

Transcript

11 Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) for the past five years, what has been the average annual electricity consumption for commercial buildings; (b) what is the standard air-conditioned temperature in these buildings; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider having a campaign to encourage companies to turn up the temperature to reduce electricity consumption and reduce carbon footprint.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The average annual electricity consumption of commercial buildings from 2012 to 2016 was around 6,276 Gigawatt-hour (GWh) per year. The energy use intensity (EUI), which is the total annual electricity consumption per unit floor area, for commercial buildings improved by 7% from 2012 to 2016.

Users of air-conditioning are encouraged to set their indoor temperatures at around 25 degrees Celsius. The Building and Construction Authority's (BCA's) Green Mark scheme, which certifies environmentally sustainable buildings, awards points for buildings whose indoor temperature is set at 24^o to 26^o Celsius and relative humidity at <65%, for the comfort of occupants.

Buildings contribute up to a quarter of Singapore’s carbon emissions. The "greening" of buildings is necessary if Singapore is to continue developing sustainably and meet our international climate change commitments. BCA leads the Government’s climate change mitigation efforts for the building sector, and their third Green Building Masterplan is focused on changing the way building tenants and occupants consume energy.

As part of our efforts in the Year of Climate Action, my Ministry will work with BCA on programmes to encourage owners and tenants of commercial buildings to reduce energy consumption and lower their carbon footprint.