APCRDA Office in Amaravati Earns India’s First Net-Zero Govt Building Rating
Table of Contents
Source: Deccan Chronicle
Relevance: GS Paper III – Environment & Economy: Renewable energy, green buildings, energy efficiency, ECBC, Net-Zero concepts
Key Concepts for Prelims and Mains:
For Prelims:
- Exchange rate, forex reserves, current account/trade deficit, Balance of Trade, Balance of Payments
For Mains:
- BoP stress, RBI policy, Key Factors Behind the Rupee’s Fall, what is Supporting the Rupee Now? (RBI’s Role), RBI’s role in forex market.
Why in News?
- On 27–29 November 2025, the APCRDA Project Office (Rayapudi, Amaravati) became India’s first government building to receive the IGBC Net Zero Energy Rating (Design Stage).
- Award given at IGBC Green Building Congress 2025, Mumbai.
Background / Present Status
- Building designed by APCRDA (Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority).
- Achieved Energy Performance Index (EPI): 0.85 → ~17,08,980 kWh/year, 15% better than ECBC 2017 baseline.
- Uses advanced energy-efficient architecture, making it a benchmark for govt buildings.
Key Features of the Net-Zero Building
1. Energy Efficiency
- High-performance HVAC systems
- Efficient LED lighting
- Optimised building envelope for thermal performance
- Low EPI indicates low energy use per sq. ft.
2. Renewable Energy Integration
- 540 kWp rooftop solar plant
- Generates ~7,88,724 kWh annually (≈45% of demand)
- Remaining 55% via Green Tariff (renewable grid energy)
- 100% renewable energy compliance → Net Zero Energy
3. Climate-Resilient Design
- Focus on reducing carbon footprint
- Sustainable materials, daylight utilisation
- Reduced cooling load and operational costs
Significance of the Achievement
For Andhra Pradesh
- First government building in India to achieve this rating
- Establishes Amaravati as a model for climate-resilient urban development
For India
- Supports India’s net-zero and energy-efficiency goals
- Demonstrates viability of net-zero govt infrastructure
- Sets a national precedent for public-sector green buildings
Way Forward
- APCRDA plans to extend green building norms across all Amaravati projects
- Potential for replication in:
- Govt offices
- Educational institutions
- Urban local bodies
- Encourages state-wide adoption of IGBC, GRIHA standards
- Promotes solar rooftop, energy-efficient retrofits, and green tariff adoption
CARE MCQ
Q. Consider the following statements about the APCRDA Net-Zero Energy Building:
- It generates 100% of its annual energy needs from rooftop solar.
- Its Energy Performance Index (EPI) is better than the ECBC 2017 baseline.
- It uses Green Tariff renewable energy to achieve net-zero status.
Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
- The rooftop solar plant covers 45% of energy needs (so statement 1 is incorrect).
- EPI is 0.85, 15% better than ECBC 2017 (correct).
- Green tariff electricity supplies the remaining 55% (correct).