Energy consumption by public buildings in Ningxia has fallen as the province implements stricter energy conservation standards, government statistics show.

Energy consumption by public buildings in Ningxia fell 23.3 percent by the end of 2010, compared with a base number set in 2005, according to the newly released data. Per capita power use in the region fell 24.5 percent.

In 2005, Ningxia started implementing stricter energy conservation requirements for newly-built public buildings, requiring they install more energy efficient equipment and cut down on waste.

Over the past few years, Ningxia has invested more than 80 million yuan (US$12 million) to build energy-efficient, low-carbon public buildings, replacing outdated equipment for more environmentally friendly models, utilizing alternative energy, and installing other new green technologies.

Ningxia government buildings took the lead in energy conservation. Since 2008, more than 4 million yuan (US$617,308) had been invested in the transformation of the buildings' power grid. Its fire alarm and security systems were transformed as well, changes expected to save nearly 150,000 kilowatt hours of power each year.