Mall to get R12m solar energy plant

LISTED real estate investment trust Liberty Two Degrees (L2D) and Liberty Group, the joint owners of Liberty Midlands Mall in Pietermartizburg, plan to invest more than R12 million in their first solar photovoltaic (PV) installation at the mall. The company said the solar PV plant was being commissioned on the roof structure of the recently launched 22 000m² third phase extension of the mall, with installation scheduled to commence next month and be completed by the first quarter of next year. Brian Unsted, L2D asset management executive for Liberty Midlands Mall, said the installation would be the largest commercial solar plant in the retail industry in Pietermaritzburg. The mall’s expansion would operate mainly on solar energy and be off the grid for most daylight hours. “Reducing carbon footprints across our retail portfolio is a priority for L2D. The project for Liberty Midlands Mall will serve as the first initiative of its kind in our portfolio and be a benchmark for future solar plant projects,” he said.