LEED certificate panned for Ernst-August-Galerie in Hanover

Ernst-August-Galerie has opened in the German city of Hanover after a 22-month construction period. German inner-city shopping centre specialist ECE and HGA Kapital Grundbesitz und Anlage were the project partners in the EUR 230 mln development.

ECE said Ernst-August-Galerie is expected to become the first German shopping centre to receive a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certificate. 'Ernst-August-Galerie is a future-oriented project that shows how sustainable shopping centers can be developed and realized today', says head of ECE Alexander Otto.

Ernst-August-Galerie is the first shopping centre in Germany to completely dispense with electrical cooling in favour of natural ventilation. ECE said this will save 35 tonnes of CO2. Moreover, a 250-kilowatt photovoltaic system for power generation mounted on the centre's roof will become operational next year. The power output generated by this system equals the annual consumption of approximately 65 single-family homes and will be saving about 50 tonnes of CO2 per year. Further climate protection measures include energy-efficient lighting as well as the use of certified green power.

The shopping centre comprises 150 specialty shops, service enterprises, cafes and restaurants over three retail levels. The 30,000 m² of retail space was fully leased out months ago. Up to 60,000 visitors are expected at the centre on peak days.

ECE will be in charge of the long-term management of Ernst-August-Galerie.