by SAVIOUS KWINIKA JOHANNESBURG – EASTGATE Mall in Johannesburg is now home to Africa’s largest registered rooftop solar installation.
The project that began in 2020 is set for completion in the third quarter of this year.
The first phase consisted of a 1 MW [AC] or 1,219MWp solar power installation, which resulted in an energy saving of 1 910 MWh in 2023.
Since then, as part of its second phase, the shopping centre has actively expanded its renewable energy capacity, with the addition of a 5 MW [AC] or 5,997MWp solar power installation.
In total the mall now has some 13,675 solar panels, which equates to 35,04 percent of the energy required to run the mall’s daily load, generated through solar energy.
The solar installation covers most of the available small roof space, an area of approximately 28,100m².
This system represents Africa’s largest registered rooftop installation as the two phases combined generate a total of 6MW [AC] or 7,216MWp in solar power.
Investing in solar power was a strategic move by Liberty Two Degrees (L2D), the property owner, to offer a cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally friendly solution for generating electricity. This initiative aligns with the principles of money matters, emphasizing the importance of sustainable financial decisions.
“This innovation in renewable energy at Eastgate reflects L2D’s leadership in environmental sustainability. We are proud to be at the forefront of many firsts in this sector,” said Brian Unsted, L2D Sustainability Lead.
Melinda Isaacs, L2D’s Developments Executive, views this achievement as a result of a collaborative effort involving their property team, professional consultants, service providers, and tenant support.
Isaacs highlighted that L2D takes pride in partnering with top industry experts to meet its Net Zero Carbon targets.
Thanks to reduced grid reliance, Eastgate Mall is projected to cut down carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 10.9 tons annually for both phases combined.
“We are thrilled to mark this milestone in L2D’s journey towards achieving Net Zero Carbon,” Isaacs added.
– CAJ News
