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Rooftop solar power plant will supply energy to two shopping centers and an office park
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TechCentral
techcentral.co.za

Rooftop solar power plant will supply energy to two shopping centers and an office park

Redefine Properties has launched a 106 million Rand solar power plant on the roof of a warehouse in Brackengate, Cape Town. This installation will transmit electricity through the city grid to three of the company's properties. The project was realized three years after its initial announcement and exceeded the original budget by 20 million Rands.

Last week, the property group commissioned this 7 MWp station at the Massmart distribution center. It is expected to generate 9.89 GWh annually, which will be fed through the Cape Town network to Kenilworth Centre, Blue Route Mall, and The Towers office complex under a 20-year agreement.

For comparison, according to Engineering News, the city-wide energy transmission program moved about 3.1 GWh between private generators and consumers by September. However, the Redefine station alone will produce more than three times that amount per year, even though the overall program only started this year.

When Redefine first announced the project in September 2023, it described a 5.5 MWp system that was supposed to generate 8.8 GWh annually with an estimated cost of 86 million Rands, as reported by Green Building Africa. Implementation was planned to take about 60 weeks and occur during 2024.

By August 2024, the structure had been increased to 6.2 MW, and the connection had to be postponed to another municipal substation due to design principles not meeting city requirements and standards for installations over 5 MW, according to Engineering News. Johan Nell, Head of Development and Industrial Asset Management at Redefine, informed the group's capital markets day that the commissioning had been moved to the fourth quarter of 2025.

The completed power plant is equipped with 11,691 panels, placed on a roof area of approximately 57,000 m². It connects to the municipal grid via the Rubicon substation using a dedicated mini-substation, inverter station, and transformer yard, utilizing about 300 km of cable.

Pool Filling

The project cost increased by approximately 23%, but the capacity increased by approximately 28%, so the cost per peak watt hardly changed: about 15.60 Rands in 2023 versus about 15.10 Rands now, according to TechCentral calculations. Leon Kok, Redefine's Chief Operating Officer, noted that 'the project goes far beyond a standard rooftop solar panel installation. It reflects the level of engineering and coordination required to ensure viable large-scale energy transmission.'

Energy transmission in Cape Town began in September 2023 when Growthpoint Properties and trader Etana Energy transmitted solar energy from Growthpoint's Constantia Village shopping center to an office building on Foreshore. In April of this year, the first total distribution volume in the city, including these two companies, supplied energy from the Free State hydroelectric power station to five Growthpoint buildings.

The pool system allows the city to distribute energy among multiple properties instead of matching one generator with one consumer, which benefits a landlord with many properties. In Brackengate, a large industrial roof generates energy used by shopping centers and offices. Kok emphasized: 'By using the capacity of one asset to support others, we create a more efficient and sustainable portfolio.'

In September, city energy committee member Xanthea Limberg stated that the city intends to open energy transmission to the market 'in the coming months, if all goes according to plan,' adding that 'consumers using the transmission continue to pay corresponding network and subsidiary charges.'

Redefine has not disclosed what share of the energy needs of the three properties this station will cover or what economic benefits it expects. In 2024, the company reported that Brackengate compensates for over 25% of the total energy consumption of Kenilworth Centre and Blue Route Mall. Since then, The Towers has been added to the scheme.

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What are MLP sheets and why are they more in demand than fiberboard and plywood?
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www.aajtak.in

What are MLP sheets and why are they more in demand than fiberboard and plywood?

Currently, people increasingly prefer MLP sheets to traditional wooden alternatives, such as standard fiberboard and plywood, when building, decorating interiors, and making furniture. Demand for them is growing rapidly in the construction and furniture manufacturing sectors. This article examines what MLP sheets are, why their popularity has increased, and where they are used.

MLP sheets are multilayer plastic sheets or boards made from recycled plastic waste. They are produced by compressing plastic trash, such as chip bags, snack wrappers, and packaging foil, under high temperature and pressure. MLP sheets are distinguished by their eco-friendliness and durability.

These sheets have become widely used in interior design, construction, and outdoor furniture production for several reasons. Primarily, MLP sheets are completely waterproof and moisture-resistant. Unlike plywood or fiberboard, which swell, rot, or delaminate when exposed to water or humidity, MLP sheets, being entirely plastic, are unaffected by water.

Furthermore, there is always a risk of termite infestation in wooden products. Since MLP sheets lack any natural fibrous component, they are completely protected against termites. Whereas fiberboard is made from wood chips, which also creates a risk of termite infestation.

On construction sites, standard plywood boards can only be used a limited number of times for formwork. However, MLP sheets can be reused far more often than standard boards, significantly reducing project costs. These materials are also very strong and dense; they can withstand loads from 250 to 5000 kilograms, making them suitable for heavy-duty work. The material does not rot or deteriorate over time, so MLP sheets last four times longer than traditional wood or plywood.

The main advantage of these sheets is their environmental friendliness. Nowadays, people are highly environmentally conscious. MLP, which is multilayered plastic waste that was difficult to recycle and accumulated in landfills, is now turned into useful boards.

Furniture or cabinets made from MLP sheets require zero maintenance. Furniture made from these sheets, especially garden or outdoor furniture, does not need painting or periodic polishing. Their applications are diverse: they can be used for small partitions in homes, as panels in suspended ceilings, and for making kitchen and bathroom cabinets. In humid areas, such as kitchens and bathrooms, they can be used as wall panels.

MLP sheets are used to create wardrobes near damp walls to keep clothes safe. They are also used for temporary walls or partitions, as well as in construction for formwork and barriers. They are used to make furniture such as tables, chairs, and benches. Thus, in every aspect, MLP sheets prove to be more economical, durable, and stronger compared to plywood and fiberboard. They are completely protected from termites and water, and they have a low cost, requiring zero maintenance expenses.

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