The US solar energy program has been a mainstay of Westfield’s energy management program in recent years. With five centres already incorporating solar generation and a further six in pre-development to come on board over the next two years, the program reflects the Group’s commitment to clean, renewable energy.
Westfield’s energy management strategy has continued to focus on conservation first, followed by efficiency to minimise the overall energy requirement. In 2012, the solar installation systems at Westfield Mainplace, Culver City, UTC, Topanga and Fashion Square collectively generated 2,267 MWh of clean renewable energy. This provided up to 21% of the total electricity requirement of the common area of each centre.
The Group’s plans to introduce solar panel installation at an additional four centres – with the remaining installations at two other centres being system expansions – means that Westfield is anticipated to be one of the major corporate solar energy producers in the United States by mid-2015. The new installations include Westfield’s first outside California, at Wheaton, Maryland as well as expansions for the systems already in place at Fashion Square and Topanga. The upcoming redevelopment of Valley Fair in Northern California will also include a new solar panel installation as will the mall development at West Valley in Los Angeles.
