The Hub Mall will install rooftop solar panels which will fully power the mall during the day, translating to savings worth millions of shillings annually.
London-based GL Africa Energy has been awarded the tender for the solar project at The Hub.
The Hub Mall in Nairobi’s Karen district is following in the footsteps of Garden City Mall with plans to install a 450-kilowatt solar system as a strategy to cut on energy costs in running the complex.
The Hub Karen said it will invest $800,000 (Sh80 million) to install the rooftop solar panels which will fully power the mall during the day, translating to savings worth millions of shillings annually.
London-based GL Africa Energy has been awarded the tender for the solar project at The Hub.
“Apart from the cost saving benefits, we are leveraging on renewable energy to address the larger environmental challenges facing the world today,” said Philippe Cauviere, director at Azalea Holdings, the firm which owns the mall.
“The solar farm project will generate 660,000 kilowatt-hours of power per year, enough to provide for the entire day needs of the mall,” said Mr Cauviere.
Thika Road-based Garden City Mall in September 2015 switched on an 858-kilowatt peak carport solar plant at the shopping complex, translating to a 40 per cent cut in power bills or annual savings of Sh32 million in power bills.
The 35,000-square-metre The Hub mall is owned by billionaire businessman Humphrey Kariuki who has interests in petroleum, importing and trading premium wines and spirits, as well as power generation.
Other firms which have lately turned to sunlight to lighten their power bills are spirits maker London Distillers which is putting up a one-megawatt solar plant, Bidco Africa (1.2 megawatts), and Williamson Tea (one megawatt).
PAYE Tax Calculator
Note: The results are not exact but very close to the actual.
