Emira Property Fund has become the first Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed property company in South Africa to receive a government-mandated energy performance certification for one of its buildings, Knightsbridge Block A, in the heart of Bryanston.

New regulatory obligations for environmental sustainability

From 7 December this year, all publicly- and privately-owned offices, schools, universities, places of public assembly, indoor sports venues and theatres above a specific size must have and display energy performance certificates (EPCs). Emira partnered with experts in the field, Remote Metering Solutions (RMS) to meet the new regulatory obligations and progress its environmental sustainability goals.

“Emira has acted early to certify its buildings. Ensuring compliance with this new regulation is in line with our good governance. We are voluntarily certifying non-mandated buildings in addition to these that require certification, which is consistent with our commitment to best practices, carbon reduction and the environment,” says Ulana van Biljon, chief operating officer (COO) of Emira Property Fund.

Knightsbridge Block A debuts South Africa’s first energy performance certificate

It is fitting that Emira chose Knightsbridge Block A to debut South Africa’s first EPC, certified by the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) as one of the first net-zero energy buildings in South Africa. It has received a “Net Zero – Carbon Level 2: Occupant Emissions (modelled)” certification, demonstrating its annual net-zero energy consumption.

Multi-level solar farm plays an essential role

Its new multi-level solar farm plays a pivotal role in its energy-neutral operations. The Knightsbridge renewable solar energy project commenced in October 2021, starting with two months of design planning to support both a net-zero rating and cost-benefit feasibility. Work got underway in December 2021 and the system was commissioned at the end of February 2022.

This building was always designed to incorporate a photovoltaic (PV) farm and achieve net-zero status. Its consumption patterns show it is ideal for a PV installation, and it can accommodate a combination of rooftop and ground-mount structures, so the solar farm can achieve the desired energy yield.

Emira’s Knightsbridge PV project:

• 580 PV panels.
• 132 rooftop panels.
• 448 ground-mount panels.
• The first-year guaranteed energy yield of 369,9MWh.
• Equivalent to removing about 40 medium-sized homes from the power grid.

Geoff Jennett, chief executive officer of Emira, says: “Emira’s purpose of being great in providing great real estate includes minimising our impact on the natural environment. We do this by managing our carbon footprint, improving affordable and clean energy, implementing integrated waste and recycling plans, water management and water harvesting projects, and safeguarding biodiversity wherever we invest.”

For more information, contact Emira Property Fund:
Website: https://emira.co.za

Be in the know! Don’t get left behind!

Subscribe to our free magazine on http://tiny.cc/fwsubs

Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.buildinganddecor.co.za/ or join other discussions like these on http://www.facebook.com/buildinganddecor, http://www.twitter.com/buildingdecor and https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/10172797/