“Eco-friendly” seems to be the magic phrase used and abused more frequently since the topic of global warming and climate change started. From light bulbs to LCD monitors and dishwashing liquid to dehumidifiers, everyone wants to make a good impression and earn loyalty from consumers.

Buildings, too, can be eco-friendly if they include features such as solar panels, natural lighting or can partly supply their own energy needs. Planners who built the new government building at Admiralty’s Tamar site may have similar ideas. That is why the structure was dubbed “eco-friendly”.

However, things didn’t go exactly as planned.

Instead of saving money by introducing green facilities such as solar-powered hot-water systems, power bill at the government headquarters soared almost nine times during the first few months of operation. The average monthly energy bill is at HK$1.46 million between Sept 20 to Nov 20, 2011; at its old location in Central, power consumption cost HK$165,240 during the same period in 2010.

Part of the reason for the skyrocketing electricity bill is that the operational floor size is about 18,000 square meters, twice the size of the old government headquarters. Also, remedial work is being done to address certain issues such as installation of additional lights after some lawmakers complained about insufficient lighting. Third, certain facilities such as activity rooms, galleries and exhibition halls are open seven days a week.

The findings prompted authorities to let the government complex undergo an energy audit. We’ll then see if “eco-friendly” will be an appropriate description.