Pirkkala’s largest solar power plant was completed in summer 2023 at Veska shopping centre, which is owned by Aare Invest Oy. The solar panel array on Veska’s roof covers more than 10,000 m² and generates 800 megawatt hours of electricity a year. That is roughly the amount needed to drive an electric car 4,000,000 kilometres, and in Veska’s case the solar plant covers more than 60 per cent of the electricity used to run the property. The investment has a significant environmental impact, as the solar plant is estimated to cut carbon dioxide emissions by around 65,000 kilograms a year.
As a sign of Veska’s long-term commitment to its environmental goals, in October it became the first shopping centre in Pirkanmaa to achieve energy efficiency class A. Also in October, the shopping centre was awarded the internationally respected BREEAM Very Good environmental certification.
“Our investments in environmental values are a source of pride for us, and achieving energy efficiency class A and the environmental certification is above all a reward for long-term work,” says a delighted Marko Kuusisto, CEO of Aare Invest Oy.
The solar plant is a natural next step towards an energy-efficient, carbon-neutral shopping centre
After Aare Invest acquired Veska shopping centre in 2017, a phased renovation of the property began. The shopping centre’s entire building systems and technology were replaced, and at the same time significant changes were made to improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs. The energy renovation continued in 2019, when a geothermal heating system was installed alongside the district heating system, and the building services and heating plant room were completely renovated. The geothermal system can currently cover 80 per cent of the property’s heating needs. The energy renovation was carried out by Meijou Oy, a construction company based in Pirkanmaa.
Between 2018 and 2021, the property’s building automation was completely renovated. A grease separation system was added to the shopping centre, a heat recovery system was built for the restaurants’ exhaust air, and the electrical and sewer systems were renewed. A recirculating air system was added to the ventilation of the retail premises, which can bring significant cost savings, including on night-time heating and cooling. The indoor lighting was also upgraded to motion-controlled LED lighting, and fibre-optic cabling was brought to all retail premises. An information screen system was installed in the shopping centre’s public areas, and a large LED display was added to the exterior façade. The display dims according to the time of day and the season, saving energy.
Next expansion in 2024
In 2024, the shopping centre on the border of Tampere and Pirkkala is set to expand and develop its operations once again. One of the drivers of this development is its excellent location in the growing Partola area. Marko Kuusisto is enthusiastic about the outlook: “Next year looks very interesting from Veska’s point of view, as it will bring the shopping centre’s next expansion, interesting new service providers and a record amount of activities and events. Companies are interested in the Partola area, and for good reason. We want to be part of that development by creating even better conditions for the area and its businesses to grow.”
Further information:
Marko Kuusisto, CEO, Aare Invest Oy
marko.kuusisto@aare.fi
mob +358 40 555 5413