JSE-listed real estate investment trust (Reit) Redefine Properties has launched a R106-million purpose-built municipal solar wheeling project in Cape Town, in the Western Cape, transforming the Massmart Distribution Centre in Brackengate into a clean energy generation hub serving multiple assets across its portfolio.

The project generates 9 889 MWh/y of renewable energy, which is wheeled through the City of Cape Town’s municipal grid to power Kenilworth Centre, Blue Route Mall and The Towers Office precinct.

As part of the city’s pilot wheeling programme, Redefine says the initiative is expected to avoid about 9 645 t/y of carbon emissions. The Reit says this project demonstrates how existing municipal infrastructure can be used to deliver scalable lower-carbon energy solutions for the built environment.

As the first purpose-built rooftop solar wheeling project of its kind within the City of Cape Town’s municipal grid, Redefine says the Brackengate facility marks a significant step forward in enabling private-sector participation in energy reform.

The model allows renewable energy generated at one asset to be efficiently allocated across others, improving energy security and reducing dependence on traditional supply.

Underpinned by a 20-year commitment, the company says the project demonstrates the value of collaboration between local government and the private sector to address energy challenges, while setting a practical precedent for the role of wheeling in supporting Cape Town’s energy transition.

Redefine says its diversified portfolio creates the opportunity to match energy generation with demand across different asset classes.

At Brackengate, the scale of the industrial facility enables large-scale solar generation, while wheeling distributes this energy to retail and office assets. This approach allows Redefine to maximise the value of its portfolio by linking assets into a more integrated energy system.

“The significance of this project lies not only in the scale of the installation, but in the way it allows us to manage energy across our portfolio.

“By using the capacity of one asset to support others, we’re creating a more efficient and resilient portfolio. It is a more sophisticated approach to asset management and one that reduces our reliance on traditional energy sources while supporting long-term value creation,” says Redefine COO Leon Kok.

Wheeling enables renewable energy generated at one site to be fed into the grid and allocated to other properties, with the municipality managing the balancing between supply and demand.

Delivering this project at scale required a purpose-built technical solution integrated into the City of Cape Town’s municipal grid.

The 7.014 MW facility comprises 11 691 solar panels installed across about 57 000 m² of roof space at the Massmart Distribution Centre. It is connected to the municipal network at the Rubicon substation and operates at 800 V.

To enable the flow of energy into the grid, the project also required the construction of a dedicated mini-substation building. Redefine explains that this houses the required switchgear and meters, as well as a purpose-built inverter station and transformer yard.

Across the installation, about 300 km of cabling has been used, supported by 2 km of rooftop walkways to allow for access, maintenance and long-term operational reliability.

“The project goes well beyond a conventional rooftop solar installation. It reflects the level of engineering and coordination required to make wheeling viable at scale and our commitment to investing in solutions that deliver measurable impact,” says Kok.

COLLABORATION      

By participating in the City of Cape Town’s wheeling pilot programme, Redefine says it demonstrates how commercial property owners and municipalities can work together to unlock renewable-energy investment and create more flexible urban energy systems.

“The city’s pooled wheeling facility represents a decisive leap forward in advancing the bold vision set out in our 2050 Energy Strategy. Cape Town stands proudly as South Africa’s leading metro, championing a just energy transition and pioneering innovative approaches through progressive policy reforms.

“These reforms have not only liberalised the local energy market but are also unlocking renewable-energy opportunities that will power communities and businesses for decades to come,” says City Energy MMC Xanthea Limberg.

“This latest achievement further cements Cape Town’s position as Africa’s leading green energy hub, demonstrating its commitment to energy resilience, reliability, affordability and carbon neutrality.

“We extend our appreciation to our private-sector partner, Redefine Properties, whose collaboration and shared vision have been instrumental in bringing this pioneering initiative to fruition,” adds Limberg.

Redefine says Brackengate facility gives effect to its environmental, social and governance strategy through targeted investment in energy infrastructure and portfolio optimisation.

It also establishes a practical model for the sector, showing how industrial, retail and office assets operate as an integrated system to support South Africa’s energy transition while building more resilient spaces for the people and businesses that use them.