NEPI Rockcastle achieves ‘Excellent’ rating under the BREEAM In-Use Framework for Ploiești Shopping City

The new rating marks another important step in the company’s strategy to reduce its carbon footprint and upgrade its operations and development to the highest ESG standards.

The certification process for Ploiești Shopping City project, owned by NEPI Rockcastle, spanned over 3 months and included two stages. The first part consisted of the evaluation of the asset performance, and the score obtained was 75.3%. In the second stage, the management performance was examined, the result being 71.8%. Ploiesti Shopping City obtained the Excellent rating under the BREEAM In-Use standard owing to sustainable initiatives, such as:

• a smart building management system that decreases the energy consumption

• the reduction of water use practices through water fixtures

• the implementation of greywater harvesting systems and water leakages prevention systems

• smart waste disposal and collection

• providing individual waste management with a focus on recycling endeavors

• developing solutions centered on biodiversity through internal and external green areas.

“We consider that this certification is another proof that for us the comfort, health and safety of visitors and tenants of Ploiesti Shopping City are a priority. Reducing operational costs by lowering energy consumption is another important benefit, both for retailers and, consequently, for their employees. We are grateful to all our colleagues who made this achievement possible”, said Magdalena Gibney, Group Head of Sustainability, NEPI Rockcastle.

Among the sustainable practices and processes implemented in Ploiesti Shopping City are the installation of 100% LED interior and exterior lights, and motion sensors placed on all technical corridors, technical spaces, and storage. Furthermore, the cooling and heating limits supervision are performed through a new, modern, and efficient Building Management System (BMS). Ploiești Shopping City does not use fossil fuels, but only refrigerants with low GWP (global warming potential) indicator.

“The BREEAM In-Use rating upgrade for Ploiesti Shopping City is a natural step in NEPI Rockcastle’s business strategy, which focuses on providing sustainable operational assets for communities while respecting the environment”, added Magdalena Gibney. “We manage energy consumption, resulting in reduced emissions, and are making significant progress in purchasing and generating electricity from renewable sources. In line with our ESG strategy, we are adapting our assets to be more sustainable, climate resilient and striving to create a better environment for our communities and tenants.”

Ploiești Shopping City consists of a leasable area of 46,846 square meters and includes over 100 retail units, external parking with electric scooter charging stations, motorbike, and bicycle parking, benefitting from good public transport connectivity.

In addition to Ploiesti Shopping City, three other shopping centers and a retail park owned by NEPI Rockcastle received the BREEAM In-Use V6 Excellent certification in 2023: Promenada Mall Bucharest, Shopping City Târgu-Jiu, Shopping City Piatra-Neamț and Vulcan Value Center.