TAX INCENTIVES: Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy management hopes the government will introduce a new standard for buildings, such as the ISO 50001 in next year’s budget.
KUALA LUMPUR: Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy management hopes the government will introduce a new standard for buildings, such as the ISO 50001 in next year’s budget.
The Budget 2013 would be tabled in Parliament on September 28 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who was also Finance Minister.
Schneider Electric said tax incentives should also be provided for developers who implement energy management within their buildings.
Its Malaysian country president Peter Cave believes this two-pronged approach would help drive the widespread adoption of energy management initiatives within the industry and become national benchmarks for green buildings.
“If one looks at the development period of a building, up to 25 per cent of a building’s life cycle costs are from financing and construction.
However, in the next 25 to 30 years of a building life, up to 75 per cent of the overall costs will be operational.
“Active energy management through measurement, monitoring, and control of energy usage is therefore critical.
With energy management, building tenants and owners can reap the benefits of lower energy bills and improved efficiency,” he added, in a statement yesterday.
Citing the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA), Schneider Electric said that the forecast growth for electricity, had shown an increase of 3.7 per cent in 2012.
From now until 2020, the average projected demand for electricity was expected to grow at 3.1 per cent, the company added.
Based on that forecast, Schneider Electric said the country would need even more energy, as it strives to transform into a high-income economy.
Thus, it added, there was an urgent need for conscientious efforts to promote the efficient use of energy in the commercial and domestic sectors.
In Malaysia, Schneider Electric said it was deploying its own energy efficient solutions within its office building, such as power monitoring and lighting control to underscore the importance of practicing better energy management.
“Through this move, we hope to emulate our headquarters, ‘The Hive’ in France, and the first building in the world to be certified ISO 50001.
“Additionally, positive changes in the industry can avoid an energy dilemma and help the government achieve its Copenhagen promise,” Cave said.
He said at present there were tax incentives for developers of green buildings who adhere to the Green Building Index, but “they would need to own the building to qualify for it.”
“If the government is able to broaden the scope to include property developers, this would encourage them to take on more green projects and employ energy management within their buildings.
“At Schneider Electric, we want to support the government in helping Malaysians make the most of their energy.
“As such, we hope that the government will further support the drive for energy efficiency in the country,” he added. — Bernama