Projects at Glicínias Plaza and Foz Plaza will generate more than 1.2 GWh of solar energy per year
Helexia, a French multinational company part of the Voltalia Group and an international operator in the energy transition, and Le Brion Management, a company specialised in shopping centre management, have established a partnership to develop two photovoltaic self-consumption projects in the retail sector, at Glicínias Plaza and Foz Plaza.
Together, the projects represent 824 kWp of installed capacity and an estimated annual production of 1,273 MWh, equivalent to more than 1.2 GWh of solar energy, avoiding around 231 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
At Glicínias Plaza, Helexia will develop a rooftop solar carport photovoltaic plant with 550 kWp of installed capacity, capable of producing approximately 858 MWh per year and avoiding the annual emission of 147 tonnes of CO2. At Foz Plaza, a 274 kWp photovoltaic plant will be installed, with an estimated annual production of 415 MWh and an associated reduction of 84 tonnes of CO2 per year.
“These projects show that energy is increasingly becoming a strategic pillar in the management of real estate assets. By integrating photovoltaic production into commercial spaces, we help our partners reduce their exposure to energy costs, increase the value of their assets and accelerate the transition towards more sustainable operating models,” says Luís Pinho, Country Director of Helexia Portugal. “This partnership with Le Brion Management also demonstrates how the retail sector can transform existing infrastructure into energy assets with measurable economic and environmental impact,” he adds.
Le Brion Management currently manages Glicínias Plaza, in Aveiro, and Foz Plaza, in Figueira da Foz, representing more than €120 million in assets, 56,220 m² of commercial area and around 200 stores.
According to Diogo Filipe, General Manager of the shopping centres: “Energy efficiency and sustainability are fundamental pillars in the modern management of shopping centres, reflecting a commitment to reducing the environmental impact of operations and promoting a more responsible use of resources. In this context, the installation of photovoltaic solutions represents a strategic step towards increasing renewable energy production, reducing dependence on the electricity grid and optimising the energy costs of common areas. More than a technical measure, this investment reflects a long-term vision focused on asset value creation and on developing more sustainable and efficient commercial spaces.”
More than self-consumption projects, these installations demonstrate how shopping centres can evolve into more efficient, resilient energy assets, better prepared to respond to new regulatory, economic and environmental demands.
With this partnership, Helexia reinforces its role as a strategic partner in the energy transition of commercial assets in Portugal, helping to transform energy into an increasingly relevant dimension of the management, value creation and competitiveness of these spaces.
About Le Brion Management
Le Brion Management is a company specialised in shopping centre management, focused on developing and managing solid, innovative and profitable concepts.
The company applies its know-how to the development and optimisation of commercial spaces, managing VougaInvest’s shopping centres: Glicínias Plaza in Aveiro, with an area of 40,000 m², and Foz Plaza in Figueira da Foz, with around 16,000 m².
Le Brion Management has a specialised team across several areas, including Operations, Commercial, Marketing, Asset Management and Finance, with extensive experience in leading companies in the national retail real estate sector.
