NEWS & UPDATES
Menara Sarawak Energy: Accredited First Green Building In East Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, 11th July 2013: Sarawak Energy has reached another milestone with the certification of its headquarters, Menara Sarawak Energy as the first green building in East Malaysia, awarded with Final Green Building Index (GBI) Silver Rating under the Non-Residential New Construction (NRNC) Category. The presentation of the certification was graced by the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, YB Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili at Sime Darby Convention Centre, here today.
Representing Sarawak Energy to receive the award was Puan Aisah Eden, Sarawak Energy’s Chief of Corporate Services. Puan Aisah was accompanied by Haji Yusri Safri, General Manager for Shared Services and Linggir Agas, Sarawak Energy’s Building Executive.
Commenting on the award, Puan Aisah said, “The intention for the submission of GBI certification was in line with the government’s call for sustainable development, encouraging the construction of more green buildings in the country, designed and operated to reduce the overall impact to the environment. Awarded with the Final GBI Silver Award was a bonus to us, for the hard work and detailed considerations that our team put in the design, construction and operation of Menara Sarawak Energy.”
Green Building Index (GBI) is Malaysia’s green rating tool for buildings and towns, created to promote sustainability in the built-environment and raise awareness of environmental issues amongst developers, architects, engineers, planners, designers, contractors as well as the public.
Buildings will be awarded with the GBI rating based on six key criteria:
- Energy Efficiency (EE) (35 points) – improve energy consumption by optimizing building orientation, maximizing solar heat gain through the building envelope, harvesting natural lighting, adopting the best practices in building services including use of renewable energy, and ensuring proper testing, commissioning and regular maintenance.
- Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) (21 points) - Achieve good quality performance in indoor air quality, acoustics, visual and thermal comfort. These will involve the use of low volatile organic compound materials, application of quality air filtration, proper control of air temperature, movement and humidity.
- Sustainable Site Planning & Management (SM) (16 points) – Selecting appropriate sites with planned access to public transportation, community services, open spaces and landscaping. Avoiding and conserving environmentally sensitive areas through the development of existing sites and brownfiields. Implementing proper construction management, storm water management and reducing the strain on existing infrastructure capacity.
- Materials & Resources (MR) (11 points) – Promote the use of environment-friendly materials sourced from sustainable sources and recycling. Implement proper construction waste management with storage, collection and re-use of recyclables and construction formwork and waste.
- Water Efficiency (WE) (10 points) – Rainwater harvesting, water recycling and water-saving fittings.
- Innovation (IN) (7 points) – Innovative design and initiatives that meet the objectives of the GBI.
Based on the Criteria, the GBI Accreditation Panel (GBIAP) awarded Sarawak Energy with Silver Rating gaining 67 out of 100 points.
Moving forward, Puan Aisah expressed Sarawak Energy’s commitment in the certification citing areas that could be improved further such as indoor environment quality, water efficiency (in particular water harvesting, recycling and efficient) and indoor environment quality.
