INTER-MINISTRY REPORT ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY (Progress)

Mr Simon S. C. Tay asked the Minister for National Development what is the progress of the inter-ministry report on energy efficiency and when will its main recommendation be released.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development (Assoc. Prof. Koo Tsai Kee) (for the Minister for National Development): Sir, the Inter-Agency Committee on Energy Efficiency (IACEE) has completed its report. MND is looking at its recommendations. One of the findings under MND's purview is that the structure of buildings influences the energy consumption of its occupants to a major extent. BCA is currently looking into the details of how building regulations can be improved to enhance energy efficiency.

Mr Simon Tay: Sir, can I know if there are plans to release the report to the public or to at least the various professions and other people directly affected?

Assoc. Prof. Koo Tsai Kee: Sir, when the Committee was first conceived, the intention was for the findings to be an internal working paper. Nonetheless, the Ministry is looking into the merits of releasing part or all of the findings at some point or over a period of time.

Mr Simon Tay: May I also ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary whether there are goals set out in the report for increasing efficiency such as reduction in the use of Government utilities?

Assoc. Prof. Koo Tsai Kee: Sir, yes, indeed the Committee looked into such goals and at the right time, we may or may not release these findings.

Mr Simon Tay: One more question, Sir. Can I ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary, when he says that they may or may not release the goals which may or may not have been set, may I know what sort of factors we are looking for, whether we have set such goals, and whether we will release them?

Assoc. Prof. Koo Tsai Kee: Sir, I cannot speak on behalf of the other Ministries but, as far as my Ministry is concerned, the BCA is looking into various building standards. It may revise the existing Overall Thermal Transfer Value (OTTV). We may look at means to do energy audits of some buildings, for example. These are in the exploratory stage.