Situation

As the UK’s largest commercial property company, Land Securities recognises the need to reduce the impacts of its property portfolio. The company aims to reduce CO₂ emissions rom its like-for-like properties by 15% by 2019/20, compared to 2010/11. As well as being good for the environment, this will help mitigate long-term energy price risks.

Gunwharf Quays in the historic Portsmouth Harbour is one of the UK’s largest shopping destinations. It offers 95 designer outlets, 30 bars and restaurants, a 14-screen cinema, a 165-bed hotel and a 24-hour casino on site. It also has the largest underground car park in the UK which, for health and safety reasons, is lit 24/7.

Gunwharf Quays consumes some four million kWh of energy in common parts each year, with the underground car park accounting for almost 60% of consumption. A site-specific environmental management plan drives efficiency measures as part of business of usual.

In late 2011, Land Securities invited renewable energy consultancy Syzygy Renewables to identify the optimum renewable energy solution for Gunwharf Quays among other sites across the UK.

Actions

Analysis supported the installation of photovoltaic panels at Gunwharf Quays:

• Portsmouth has one of the highest levels of solarisation (sunshine hours) in the UK
• Gunwharf Quays offers a large roof area suitable for panels
• Photovoltaic panels are a well-established technology with low maintenance requirements
• Panels can be fully insured for design and installation, with a 25-year performance warranty
• 10-year payback period, with strong financial benefits over the 35-year life expectancy, wit the Government’s Feed-in Tariff offering 55% of the overall savings.

Syzygy specified and developed an outline design for a 300kW roof-mounted photovoltaic solution across two sites, on a series of flat and pitched metal sheet roofs. In total, 1,070 panels were installed, covering 34,500 sq ft.

The design incorporates aerodynamic, low ballast K2 panels on the flat roofs. An innovative Schletter pitched roof mounting system increases the tilt on the panel to enhance output and improve the self-cleaning performance of the panels.

The system was installed by EvoEnergy, one of the UK’s largest photovoltaic installation contractors. The entire installation took four months and was completed at the end of July 2012.

Benefits

The photovoltaic panels are expected to generate 280,000 kWh in the first year, fulfilling 7% of the Centre’s energy demand in common parts. This is enough to power 70 homes and will save 3,750 tonnes of CO₂ over 25 years.

As well as supporting the CO₂ reduction target Land Securities has set, this will:

• Mitigate long-term energy price risks
• Decarbonise the service charge for occupiers
• Deliver a lower carbon retail destination for shoppers.

Financials

Overview:

• Capital investment: £563,000
• Year one electricity cost savings: £28,000
• Year one Feed-in Tariff revenue: £36,000
• Payback period: Within 8.7 years.

Over 25 years:

• Total income*: £1.5 million
• Total operating and management costs: £250,000.

_{*Based on occupiers using 100% of energy produced and paying the market price through the service charge.}

Find out more

Neil Pennell

Head of Engineering and Design

Land Securities

www.landsecurities.com