The development of ESG strategy, as well as compliance with EU directives regarding the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, are eco-priorities for Gemini Holding in the coming years. With the introduced range of solutions, we are taking another important step towards not only energy efficiency but also a smaller impact on the natural environment. This is crucial in the era of climate and energy challenges – says Anna Malcharek, Managing Director of Gemini Holding.

Gemini Park Tychy has already taken a step towards greater savings. The object, the youngest in the Krakow holding’s portfolio, reached for solutions implemented during its construction, which already assumed a reduction in energy consumption. This includes the widespread use of LED lighting and the roof design, which includes dozens of skylights to let in natural light.

The facility also includes several recent investments. Gemini Park has installed 250 special sensors in the gallery and outside the passages, which illuminate the lights only when there is movement in those areas. Lighting automation has also been introduced in the parking lot. Reductions in energy consumption will also be provided by new schedules for air conditioning and heating settings, as well as reducing the illumination of elevations and logos. The latter is important because Gemini Park has facades and an elevation in which LED lighting installations are incorporated.

Gemini Park Bielsko-Biała approaches the matter similarly. The center has prepared numerous solutions. Here, too, the latest investments and modernizations will pay off, primarily the replacement of traditional lighting with LED lighting, which has covered the passage and the underground parking lot. As in the case of Tychy, the Bielsko-Biała facility takes advantage of the fact that a significant part of its roof is glazed, providing a considerable amount of daylight to the shopping alleys.

The center also resorts to “emergency” solutions. The facility has already implemented new schedules that will allow it to make efficient use of air conditioning and ventilation, and thus better adapt them to weather conditions. Additionally, Gemini Park has slightly reduced the interior lighting and made the decision to turn off all facade lighting every day from 10 p.m.

Work on further actions is also ongoing. – The center is currently undergoing a thorough energy audit, which will allow it to identify areas where changes can be made to minimize energy consumption, carbon footprint, and overall impact on the natural environment – says Anna Malcharek.

Gemini Park Tarnów has adopted a similar approach. Here, a comprehensive exchange of light sources for energy-efficient LEDs began five years ago. The largest replacement in the indoor parking area resulted in the acquisition of so-called “White Certificates.” The entire change was completed in 2020. Additionally, as in other centers, the surface of the interior parking lot and the roof was covered with white paint, which has reflective properties, reducing the need for artificial light.

Additionally, for almost 10 years now, a constant control of the central air conditioning and ventilation system has been implemented at the center, and the indoor temperature is consistently adjusted to changes in the external zone in order to optimize energy consumption while maintaining thermal comfort for customers and center employees.

Similar to Tychy and Bielsko-Biała, lighting at storefronts has also been reduced. Lighting intensity in the internal parking area of Gemini Park has also been reduced by one-third. The center has also decided to limit the lighting time of the facility to its opening hours only, and a schedule of restrictions on holiday lighting has been prepared.

– Today, in seeking solutions, we fully utilize the eco-potential developed in recent years and focus largely on the infrastructure of facilities, which means that the changes introduced are not noticeable to customers. They do not affect either thermal comfort or the perception of the centers themselves, yet the savings are significant. Thanks to the recently implemented solutions, we were able to reduce energy consumption by approximately 12% in 2022 – concludes Anna Malcharek.