Xentro malls get on the solar rooftop trend

As published on BusinessInquirer

MRC Allied Inc. yesterday said it had signed with Uni Solar Inc. (USI) a P200-million contract to build solar photovoltaic rooftop systems for a chain of community malls spread across the country.

“We are excited because this partnership with USI and Xentro Mall (or XRC Mall Developer Inc.) will solidify the entry of MRC into the solar PV rooftop industry,” MRC chair Carlos P. Gatmaitan said in a statement. The project is targeting a total capacity of at least 4 megawatts (MW).

“This will also expand our RE (renewable energy) portfolio and bring us closer to our goal of contributing to the clean and renewable capacity of the country,” Gatmaitan said. MRC wants to develop at least 200 MW of renewable energy each year.

According to MRC, the contract commits the company to engage the services of USI to provide the design, supply, delivery, installation, testing and commissioning of a solar PV system for Xentro Malls nationwide. Xentro Mall will identify which malls will have the solar rooftop systems.

MRC will pay USI at least P200 million for the whole package, which should be delivered within a six-month period. The systems will be operated and maintained for a contract period of 20 years.

According to XRC Mall Developer Inc., its community malls are occupied by tenants such as SM Savemore Market, Robinson’s Supermarket, National Bookstore, Watsons, Jollibee, Chowking, Shakey’s, Goldilocks Bakeshop, McDonald’s, Classic Savory and Mercury Drug Store.

Xentro malls can be found in Metro Manila, Rizal, Batangas, Bulacan, Isabela, Cagayan, Mindoro and Cavite.

Four more malls are being developed, one each in Bulacan, Rizal, Batangas and Ilocos Sur. XRC is also looking at gaining a foothold in Mindanao through Zamboanga City.