Siemens makes its offices in India green – initial investment of `100 million until 2012 planned

In order to improve the energy and environmental records of its offices, Siemens has kick started the inspection process of its company owned office buildings. As the next step, the offices will be equipped with green building technologies using the latest products from Siemens Environmental Portfolio. Huge energy savings can for example be achieved by using LEDs from Osram, a Siemens group company. They consume 80% less energy than conventional light bulbs which saves up to `5,000 a year per lamp. In addition, Siemens plans to install new intelligent building systems and to optimize the heating and cooling system, water and energy distribution and many more areas. This process is well underway at the company headquarters in Worli, Mumbai  and is expected to be completed by early 2011. "This cuts CO2 emissions and at the same time lowers operating costs, increases property values and enhances operating safety," said Armin Bruck, CEO of Siemens Ltd. in India.

Around 40% of the world’s energy is used in buildings and energy accounts for more than 40% of the operating costs of a typical office building. Up to 70% of the energy demand in cities also comes from buildings. Experts predict that up to 900 million sq. mtrs of commercial and residential space will get added every year in India. This is equivalent to a city of Chicago being added every year in India. Hence, optimizing energy usage in buildings gives an abatement potential of 300 million tons of CO2.

Siemens has the key to green buildings. “Our systems are cutting energy consumption in offices by up to 30%”, said Bruck. So far, Siemens systems in buildings worldwide have already saved about `1,200 billion (€20 billion) and are reducing CO2 emissions by 2.4 million tons. This is equivalent to the annual emissions of roughly one million cars. Siemens is also currently developing “eco city” models to ensure that megacities such as Mumbai, Delhi or Kolkata are planned from the very outset to be as sustainable as possible.

Siemens is a leader in energy-efficient buildings in the U.S. and in Europe. The market potential of the energy efficient buildings for the next ten years for Siemens building technology division globally is estimated at roughly `1,200 billion (€20 billion). Based on its experience worldwide in making buildings green, Siemens now also offers the green consultancy to other companies throughout the country.

Siemens Ltd., in which Siemens AG holds 55.18% of the capital, is the flagship listed company of Siemens AG in India. Siemens in India, which comprises 19 legal entities, is a leading provider of industry and infrastructure solutions with a business volume aggregating about `12,000 crore. It operates in the core business areas of Industry, Energy and Healthcare. It has nation-wide Sales and Service network, 21 manufacturing plants, a network of around 500 channel partners and employs about 17,000 people.