WA shopping centres go solar

Two shopping centres in Perth’s north have been included in a $28 million solar power project being undertaken by ASX-listed Vicinity Centres, which is forecasting the creation of about 40 local jobs.

Ellenbrook Central and Currambine Central, both owned by Vicinity, will have solar panels installed on the rooftops of the centres and across a series of car park shades.

The Ellenbrook facility will generate 2,939 kilowatts of power, while Currambine is set to produce 100kW.

Work is expected to start next month.

The project also includes five centres in South Australia, with an overall energy output of 11.2 megawatts.

Vicinity chief executive Grant Kelley said the project would reduce the company’s reliance on the grid.

“We are proud to be creating jobs across South Australia and Western Australia and investing in these important states in our shopping centre portfolio,” he said

“The environmental benefits of the installations are equivalent to removing more than 9,500 cars from our roads and will create enough power to supply more than 3,000 average homes for a year.

“We know we have an important role to play in shaping better communities and creating more connected and sustainable destinations.”

In South Australia, the Elizabeth City centre will have 5,849kW while Castle Plaza will produce 2,244kW and have a 500kW-hours battery installed.

Vicinity said there will be about 110 jobs created in South Australia.

The company said its energy strategy also included trial zones of double-sided solar panels, cloud tracking technology and fast charging stations for electric vehicles.

The staged roll-out would include more solar panels across Vicinity’s national retail portfolio, with the next phase expected to be completed by 2020.