Government Moves to Cut Power Consumption: Energy-Saving Building Code ECBC 2023 to Be Implemented Nationwide

ISLAMABAD:Amid soaring electricity costs across Pakistan, the federal government is taking major steps to reduce power consumption through energy-efficient building designs. Federal Minister for Energy, Awais Leghari, has written to the Chief Ministers of all four provinces, federal ministers, and the Minister for Science and Technology, urging implementation of the **Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) 2023**.

According to Leghari, conventional building designs are a major contributor to the country’s energy crisis. Currently, over **60% of electricity is consumed by buildings**, and due to outdated designs, these structures heat up quickly in summer, leading to extensive use of cooling systems and, consequently, higher energy consumption and wastage.

To address this issue, the **ECBC 2023** has been introduced on the instructions of the Prime Minister. The new regulation mandates energy-efficient designs for all new buildings to ensure reduced electricity usage, especially during peak summer months.

Leghari stressed that **approval of new construction projects should now be conditional** on their compliance with ECBC 2023 standards. Additionally, he proposed integrating the code into upcoming **Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP)** projects in the national budget to ensure widespread implementation.

He urged provincial governments to incorporate ECBC 2023 into all their development projects and **make energy-saving evaluations a mandatory step** before approving any new construction.

The initiative comes at a time when many citizens have already turned to alternative methods, such as installing solar panels and energy-efficient cooling systems, to cope with rising electricity bills. The government’s move is seen as a long-term solution aimed at curbing energy demand through smarter infrastructure planning.