Replicating a similar project in its shopping mall in Xiamen, SM Prime Holdings will harness energy from the sun to help power SM North Edsa. This is planned for installation and commissioning in the first half of 2015. The project is designed to generate about 1.4 megawatts at peak, SMPH chief finance officer Jeffrey Lim said.

The country’s largest shopping mall won’t be the first in the country to have a power plant on its roof, as the distinction has recently been earned by Biñan Central Mall, but SM Prime’s could be the largest for sometime. Solar Philippines—founded by 21-year-old entrepreneur Leandro Leviste—recently financed, built and will maintain the Biñan solar power plant and has also been contracted to undertake SM North Edsa’s project.

“The SM North Edsa solar roof deck project is in line with SM’s continuing effort of identifying cost-effective and environmental friendly measures that will further improve SM’s carbon footprint. It will also provide additional electricity especially during the summer months,” Lim said.

SM first tapped solar energy at the roofdeck of SM Xiamen (the first for a shopping mall in this city in Southern China), taking advantage of fiscal incentives offered there. Asked whether more solar plants will rise on more SM malls in the future, Lim said: “We will consider installing in other locations subject to successful implementation of our first project in the Philippines.–Doris C. Dumlao