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KUALA LUMPUR: Bandar Utama City Centre Sdn Bhd, operator of 1 Utama Shopping Centre has appointed Solarvest Energy Sdn Bhd to install 273,300 sq ft of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and building-integrated PV (BIPV) panels on the mall. The panels will cover the rooftop of the building and the carpark to generate over 5,700 kWp of renewable energy, making it the largest on-site solar PV and BIPV project in Malaysia to date. Solarvest will undertake the engineering, procurement, construction and commission works for installing the solar power system and the installation is nearing completion. “Being the first green mall in Malaysia since 1995, we recognise the important role we play in promoting sustainable practices, managing environmental impact and investing in impactful long-term solutions for a circular economy and climate mitigation,” said 1 Utama Shopping Centre Public Relations and Sustainability Senior Manager, Lee Li Lian. He also mentioned that the mall had always set new standards in integrating green features and eco-campaigns, with its award-winning rainforest enclave that features 100 species of forest trees and the mall’s rooftop Secret Garden, which is the largest in Southeast Asia. “We are proud to be adopting solar energy and innovative green technology to further reduce our carbon footprint. This is a step forward for 1 Utama to achieve our ESG and Zero Energy building goals,” he added. With shopping malls being energy-intensive in terms of lighting and air conditioning, Lee said that the solar power system would help the mall conserve electricity usage and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. As part of its environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals, 1 Utama plans to earn the GreenRE Super Low Energy Building Certification by next year and achieve full ESG compliance while implementing International Labour Organisation (ILO) 2019 standards throughout its supply chain. Meanwhile, Solarvest Executive Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of Solarvest, Davis Chong Chun Shiong revealed that Solarvest’s tender book in Malaysia grew from 1.6 gigawatts (GW) last year to 2.8GW this year.