Dubai Airports expands its commitment to solar energy

Dubai Airports has announced a historic partnership with Etihad Clean Energy Development Company, a subsidiary of DEWA, to build the largest rooftop photovoltaic system ever installed at an airport.

 

The agreement, formalized during the World Green Economy Summit, an event organized by Dubai's Supreme Energy Council and DEWA, marks an important step towards sustainability. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the event was held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 2 to 3 October 2024. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's vision is to transform Dubai into one of the most sustainable cities in the world by achieving 25% of the energy mix from clean sources by 2030 and 100% by 2050. 

 

The project, which will generate 39MWp of clean energy and will be operational by 2026, involves the installation of more than 62,000 solar panels at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum (DWC) airports, with an annual production of more than 60,000 MWh. This marks a key step in reducing airports' carbon emissions.

 

The solar panels will be installed on the roofs of passenger terminals and concourses, reducing the emission of 23,000 tons of CO2 each year, equivalent to taking 5,000 vehicles off the road or providing energy to 3,000 homes for a year. The energy produced will cover 6.5% of the DXB's energy needs and 20% of the DWC's needs, supporting Dubai Airports' commitment to increasingly sustainable and intelligent operations. The successful solar panel installations at Dubai DXB Airport's Terminal 2 and Concourse D have already demonstrated the effectiveness of solar energy in reducing energy consumption and emissions.

 

This project is part of a wider range of sustainable initiatives that Dubai Airports has already launched, from strategic collaborations with the aviation industry to airport asset management. Initiatives also include converting lighting systems to LEDs, optimizing cooling systems and using biodiesel vehicles, as well as reducing food waste.