تجديد المباني وفق معايير كفاءة الطاقة

Contents

Contents

1. Purpose of the Policy

2. Legal and Strategic Framework

3. Energy-Efficient Building Standards and Requirements

4. Strategic Objectives and Contributions

5. Governance and Oversight

6. Monitoring, Key Performance Indicators, and Review

1. Purpose of the Policy

1.1. Qassim University (QU) commits to ensuring all campus infrastructure—new buildings, renovations, and upgrades of existing facilities—comply with energy-efficient standards and design features that minimise operational energy demand and reduce fossil fuel consumption.

1.2. This policy recognises that while construction and renovation activities are energy-intensive processes, they provide strategic opportunities to create long-term operational energy efficiency and integrate renewable energy pathways in accordance with the National Energy Efficiency Program led by the Ministry of Energy and the Saudi Energy Efficiency Centre (SEEC).

1.3. The university mandates that all new buildings, as well as all renovated and upgraded buildings, shall be designed, constructed, and equipped in accordance with the Saudi Building Code (SBC) and the Saudi Green Building Code (SBC 1001), specifically emphasising energy-efficient equipment and design features that reduce operational energy demand and support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 energy sustainability objectives.

1.4. This policy aligns with the Kingdom’s commitments under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy), advancing energy affordability and the transition to clean sources as foundations of sustainable development.

2. Legal and Strategic Framework

2.1. Qassim University’s energy efficiency policy is grounded in:

• Vision 2030: The Kingdom’s strategic framework targeting sustainable energy systems, economic diversification from oil dependency, and achievement of Net Zero by 2060 (as set by the Saudi Green Initiative).
• Saudi Building Code (SBC): Establishes mandatory standards for building design, construction, operation, and maintenance, including energy performance requirements.
• Saudi Green Building Code: Mandates energy-efficient and water-conscious equipment installation; reduces operational energy demand through advanced HVAC systems, insulation, and lighting technologies.
• Saudi Energy Efficiency Centre (SEEC) initiatives: Programs promoting energy efficiency across sectors, including building design standards, equipment optimisation, and operational best practices.
• Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) technical regulations: Rules setting energy‑efficiency specifications and classifications for equipment.

3. Energy-Efficient Building Standards and Requirements

3.1. While construction and renovation activities consume energy during the build phase, strategically designed and equipped facilities achieve significant net energy savings over their operational lifespan. Qassim University commits to prioritising long-term operational efficiency during all capital projects to offset construction-phase energy investments and reduce cumulative campus energy demand.

3.2. All new construction and major renovations at Qassim University must incorporate the following verified energy-efficient technologies and features:

3.2.1. LED lighting systems:

• All buildings shall be fitted with LED lighting fixtures in accordance with SBC requirements.
• Occupancy (motion‑activated) controls shall be installed to eliminate unnecessary energy use in unoccupied spaces.

3.2.2. High‑efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems:

• Deploy Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) across HVAC systems;
• Integrate high‑efficiency thermal insulation;
• Procure and utilise energy‑efficient equipment and systems.

3.2.3. Renewable energy integration:

• Evaluate and, where feasible, deploy rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems;
• Integrate building‑integrated renewable energy;
• Assess hybrid renewable–grid systems.

3.2.4. Building envelope optimisation:

• Apply high‑performance glazing and window systems;
• Consider passive cooling and natural ventilation design principles;
• Integrate advanced insulation materials.

3.3. The university shall ensure all installed energy‑consuming equipment meets or exceeds:

• SASO technical standards, with equipment classified as Category A (the highest efficiency);
• National energy‑efficiency standards established by the Ministry of Energy and applicable regional compliance frameworks;
• Environmental protection standards that ensure minimal environmental impact during operation.

4. Strategic Objectives and Contributions

4.1. This policy aims to achieve:

• Carbon emission reduction supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 Net Zero by 2060
• Alignment with UN SDG 7: Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all institutional operations
• 30–40% reduction in campus energy consumption through combined LED, HVAC optimisation, thermal insulation, and renewable energy integration
• Operational cost savings through energy-efficient equipment, with typical payback periods of 3–5 years
• Reduced grid electricity demand through efficiency improvements and renewable energy generation
• Institutional leadership in sustainable infrastructure, positioning QU as a regional model for energy-conscious campus development.

5. Governance and Oversight

5.1.  The Centre for Sustainable Development holds institutional responsibility for the oversight, implementation and monitoring of this energy‑efficient building policy: it oversees compliance with energy‑efficiency standards in all new builds, renovations and upgrades; integrates national guidance into project requirements; and ensures design‑stage energy modelling and post‑occupancy verification.

5.2. Assistance is provided by the General Administration of Facilities and Housing, the College of Engineering, and Contracts and Procurement Management, with the General Administration of Internal Audit consulted for lifecycle costing and controls.

5.3. The University Council and the Centre for Sustainable Development shall oversee compliance and performance monitoring.

6. Monitoring, Key Performance Indicators, and Review

6.1 To track performance and demonstrate progress towards this policy’s objectives, the University will monitor:

• proportion of campus buildings conforming to SBC energy‑efficiency requirements
• annual reduction in operational energy use
• completion of the LED lighting roll‑out
• progress on HVAC efficiency upgrades
• installed renewable‑energy capacity
• share of campus electricity from renewables.

6.2 To verify outcomes, assure accountability and guide continuous improvement, the University will audit new and renovated buildings each year to confirm design‑standard compliance and measure in‑use energy, monitor energy intensity across facilities, and benchmark results against Vision 2030 energy‑efficiency and renewable‑energy trajectories to inform corrective actions.

6.3. This policy is reviewed biennially (every two years) or upon release of updated SBC, Green Building Code, Vision 2030, or other national and regional directives.