Building Energy Efficiency Certificate

Under proposals being considered by the Australian Parliament, commercial buildings will require Building Energy Efficiency Certificates (BEEC) by the end of 2010. This will be required for buildings with office space over 2,000 square metres being sold or leased. The certificate will have a National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) energy star rating, assessment of the lighting energy efficiency of tenancies and suggestions on how to improve the building's energy efficiency. It should be noted that the certificate does not require a specific level of efficiency be met, just that the details be passed to prospective buyers or lessees. A senate committee recommend the legislation be passed.

A NABERS rating for Data Centres is also being developed. This was due to be completed in June 2010. However, as of June the web site for the project still reports data collection, which was to be completed in March, was still taking place. So it is likely that ratings will not be required for data centre buildings at the same time they are for general office space and very unlikely before the end of 2010.

See:

• Mandatory Disclosure of Commercial Office Building Energy Efficiency - Regulation Impact Statement (PDF - 6958KB)
  
• Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Bill 2010 - legislation and explanatory memorandum
• Senate Inquiry into the The provisions of the Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Bill 2010, Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts