· Strategies for sustainable building practices in J&K highlighted
· Over 100 professionals gather to discuss energy efficiency, conservation initiatives
SRINAGAR: In celebration of Energy Conservation Day, the Indian Buildings Congress (IBC), Jammu & Kashmir Chapter, organized a comprehensive technical webinar focused on energy efficiency, conservation strategies, and sustainable building practices amid increasing energy demands. The webinar was chaired by Er. Aamir Ali, Chairman of IBC J&K Chapter, and was attended by over 100 participants including engineers, IBC members, architects, planners, government officials, faculty members, students, and energy professionals from across the country.
Er. Aamir Ali emphasized that energy demand in Jammu & Kashmir experiences sharp spikes during winter months due to heating needs and in summer due to cooling requirements. He stressed that integrating energy conservation into building planning, design, and operations is crucial for ensuring sustainability, affordability, and resilience. He highlighted that energy-efficient buildings are fundamental to achieving these goals.
Chief Guest Er. M. Aaquib Sultana Waheed Deva, Chief Engineer at JKPTCL Kashmir, inaugurated the webinar. In her address, she underscored the importance of improving system efficiency, reducing transmission and distribution losses, and strengthening grid infrastructure to ensure a reliable, affordable, and sustainable power supply. She linked energy conservation efforts to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7—Affordable and Clean Energy—and noted India’s ambitious target of reaching 500 GW of installed capacity by 2030, with a significant portion derived from renewable sources.
She also emphasized responsible energy consumption aligned with SDG 12, advocating for the adoption of BEE-rated energy-efficient appliances. Acknowledging the challenges posed by inherent losses across generation, transmission, and distribution—particularly during winter due to the hydropower-based system—she highlighted ongoing efforts to address these issues through infrastructure upgrades under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, installation of smart meters, reduction of pilferage, and enhanced monitoring mechanisms.
Linking energy conservation to SDG 13—Climate Action—she pointed out that reducing losses and increasing renewable energy adoption would help lower the carbon footprint and bolster resilience against extreme weather events.
The technical session was led by Er. Bashir A. Dar, Former Secretary (Technical), JKPDD, and Managing Director of JK Green Technologies. He provided an in-depth analysis of both supply-side and demand-side energy conservation measures, emphasizing the importance of green buildings, passive design strategies, high insulation standards, solar water heating, rooftop solar installations, under-floor heating, heat pumps, and the adoption of energy-efficient building codes tailored to cold climates.
Er. Sufhail Qadir, Founder & Managing Partner of JK Green Technologies, discussed demand-side energy management and smart energy solutions. He highlighted techniques such as load shifting, smart load control, battery integration, and building automation systems, which collectively reduce energy consumption and electricity costs. He also stressed the benefits of modern IoT-based technologies for improving indoor air quality, including carbon dioxide monitoring, and enhancing occupant comfort.
During the open discussion, participants collectively agreed that effective energy conservation requires a multi-faceted approach involving supportive policies, technological innovation, and responsible consumer behavior—especially critical in an energy-scarce and environmentally sensitive region like Jammu & Kashmir.
The webinar concluded with a call to increase awareness, strengthen professional capacity, and accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient technologies and building standards. Speaking on the occasion were Ar. Masroor Ahmed Shah, Project Manager at Srinagar Building Centre, Department of Housing & Urban Development; Er. Rabinder Shekher, Vice Chairman of IBC J&K; and Er. Irfan Shafi Parray, Honorary Secretary of IBC J&K.