The Government of Malaysia wants their new Ministry of Energy building to be a showcase building for energy efficiency and low environmental impact, and design support from the Danish Agency for Development Assistance – DANIDA (formerly known as DANCED) program was requested and granted.

The building demonstrates integration of the best energy efficiency measures, optimised towards achieving the overall best cost/effective solution.

Danish and local experts had since January 2001, in cooperation with Malaysian architects and engineers, optimised the overall design of the building and its energy systems for minimum energy consumption. A computerized design tool was introduced as a key instrument in the optimization of the building design and the design of the energy systems. In August 2002 the detailed design of the building has been finalised, and had started construction.

An ambitious goal was set for the energy efficiency of the building: Energy savings of more than 50% compared to traditional new office buildings in Malaysia should be achieved at an extra construction cost of less than 10%, giving a payback period of the extra investment of less than 10 years.

The cost target of maximum 10% extra costs for the energy efficiency measures have been confirmed through the Design and Built tender.

The computer modelling using the Energy-10 computer software have predicted more than 50% energy savings and from the one year energy monitoring result shows that it has achieved the energy saving target.

Energy monitoring program has been implemented during the operational of the building and add vital credibility to the predictions, that major energy savings and environmental benefits can be achieved in the building sector of Malaysia.