KUALA LUMPUR (April 15): 1 Utama Shopping Centre, which is operated by Bandar Utama City Centre Sdn Bhd, is turning to solar power as a source of clean energy.

The operator has appointed Solarvest Holdings Bhd's unit to install solar photovoltaic panels that will cover around 273,300 sq ft of the mall's rooftop and carpark, making it the largest on-site installation on a Malaysian mall.

The panels will generate more than 5,700 kilowatt-peak of renewable energy to power the mall, according to a joint statement from Bandar Utama City Centre and Solarvest on Monday.

The installation of the solar power system is now nearly complete.

“Shopping malls can be energy-intensive, especially in terms of air-conditioning and lighting. By installing the solar power system, this helps us save electricity cost and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. With solar energy being a reliable and responsible source of electricity, we are looking forward to implementing more projects in the future to reduce energy consumption and optimise resources,” said the mall's public relations and sustainability senior manager Lee Li Lian.

Solarvest, meanwhile, said it is seeing growing interest in clean energy adoption, particularly among commercial and industrial players.

"Our expanded tender book in Malaysia from 1.6GW last year to 2.8GW this year signifies an acceleration of clean energy adoption towards achieving Malaysia’s net zero goals," said Solarvest executive director and group chief executive officer Davis Chong Chun Shiong.