Moving from Mtatsminda to the vast landscape of Tbilisi shows that construction is one of the most rapidly growing industries. Construction projects in all stages are being carried out throughout the capital as well as in other major cities in Georgia. According to the International Energy Agency: “Buildings and the construction sector combined are responsible for over one-third of global final energy consumption and nearly 40% of total direct and indirect CO2 emissions”. Therefore, buildings seem to be a good place to start when looking for opportunities to decrease the use of energy and promote more conscious consumption.
The adoption of the Law on energy-efficient buildings certainly aids investment in energy-efficient construction. After the adoption of the law, the next step is to set minimum requirements for energy efficiency in buildings, a task which was originally scheduled for 2021. However, due to the hardships posed by the pandemic, the date has been postponed until 30 July 2022. These requirements are long overdue − to this day, Georgian building codes are mainly based on Soviet Construction Norms and Rules (also known as SNIP), which are outdated. These codes take structural and seismic measure into account; however, they lack requirements for building safety, design, construction, energy efficiency as well as for the operation and maintenance of buildings, all of which is crucial to ensure the quality and sustainability of buildings. Incorporating energy-efficient technologies is now largely left to the developer, and some larger developers have been eager to pioneer these technologies in their projects. Archi, one of the leading developers in Georgia has achieved a 43% reduction in energy use by investing in energy-efficient windows and doors, building blocks, ventilation systems, and insulation. Another big player, Lisi Green Town, will avoid over 200 tonnes of CO2 emissions by choosing similar technologies, along with LED lighting systems and energy-efficient elevators.
The market already offers a diverse selection of energy-efficient alternatives for all types of projects. The Green Technology Selector (GTS) only lists technologies that are at least 20% more energy efficient than their traditional counterparts. The technologies available include windows, doors and insulation that help decrease heat loss, as well as lighting, heating and cooling systems that consume less energy. Furthermore, the GTS offers technologies such as excavators and backhoe loaders that make the construction process more energy efficient. But the industry does not stop at incorporating EE technologies. With international certifications, such as LEED, BREEAM and EDGE, which are issued for various sustainable measures including sourcing 100% of the energy required by a building on-site, we can be sure that the future of most buildings is to not only be energy efficient, but to also only consume the energy produced by the building.
While energy-efficient buildings offer environmental benefits through decreased energy consumption and CO2emissions, they also provide personal benefits to the end-users. Reduced heating and electric bills are the main benefit of a more efficient home. Even though these homes are more expensive, the costs are easily recovered through the savings achieved. In addition, knowing that a home or office is up to important safety and environmental codes and that engineering, procurement and construction (known as the EPC) were carried out by a single group of professionals brings a sense of security to a family or an employee. Purchasing a home is a significant investment − so it is important to know that it is built to last. Even if the home or a working space is later sold, the energy efficiency factor will add to its overall value.
GEFF in Georgia has financed numerous construction projects throughout its operation. Collective annual energy savings and CO2 emissions of these projects have reached 3,000 MW/h and 2,000 tonnes, respectively. A good example to illustrate the financial benefits of using energy-efficient measures in construction is a large shopping mall in Gldani. Efficient heating and cooling, ventilation and LED lighting systems, along with high-performing elevators and escalators result in annual savings of almost US$ 250,000. For a business successfully operating in the construction industry, savings can serve as an important jumpstart for future projects.
Innovative solutions offered by the industry, financial resources, and a legal framework provide a good outlook for Georgia to equip its public and private sectors with technologies necessary to decrease energy consumption and increase the quality of future buildings.
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