Godrej & Boyce certifies 1st net zero building under IGBC rating system

Godrej & Boyce Mfg Co Ltd, a Godrej Group Company, has created a new benchmark in the field of sustainable buildings. ‘Plant – 13 Annexe Building’, part of its Vikhroli campus in Mumbai, has become the first building in India to achieve a net zero energy rating from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).

Plant – 13 Annexe is a multiple use office and convention centre located in the Godrej campus at Vikhroli. Over the years, this building has demonstrated the highest standards of performance and has won many accolades including the ‘IGBC-EB Platinum rating’ under the ‘existing building’ certification and the ‘BEE 5-star rating’, which further conforms the building to a ‘minimum energy performance’. With the IGBC net zero rating, the building has achieved a unique status of being self-sustainable by being fully powered by onsite and offsite renewable energy sources.

The process of certification covered all the dimensions of energy performance and the renewable energy sources. Demonstration of improvements in lighting, cooling, equipment efficiency and effective system control through BMS (Building Management System) added to the already stellar performance of the facility. It has resulted in a 30 per cent reduction of energy.

George Menezes, COO, Godrej Electrical and Electronics said: “When it comes to the environment and nature, we at Godrej stand deeply committed. It runs through the DNA of our organisation. Our Green Building Consulting (GBC) vertical has been working closely with CII to promote the concept of Green Buildings in India, and is their lead partner, advising various clients across industries.

“Last year when we partnered with the World Green Building Council for furthering the cause of ‘net zero’ in the Asia Pacific Region, we were determined to demonstrate that in our own campus and here, we are the very first ‘net zero’ building under IGBC’s rating system.”

Allan Han-Huei Teo, Asia Pacific Regional Head, World Green Building Council said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Godrej & Boyce and a huge step forward on the path to net zero buildings in India. Such an achievement sets a benchmark for other organisations to follow and will undoubtedly kickstart the transition towards net zero buildings in India and beyond.” There are around seven net zero buildings listed in India, and Godrej is the first one to be a formally certified ‘Net Zero’ building under the IGBC Rating System.