Dubai Airports has announced a landmark partnership with Etihad Clean Energy Development Company, a subsidiary of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), to establish the world’s largest rooftop solar panel project at an airport.
This ambitious initiative will be implemented across both Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), reinforcing Dubai’s commitment to sustainable energy and innovation.
The announcement was made in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Chairman of Dubai Airports, and His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and CEO of DEWA. The formal agreement between Dubai Airports and Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad ESCO) was signed at the World Green Economy Summit held at the Dubai World Trade Centre under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
This massive project, expected to be fully operational by 2026, will involve the installation of 62,904 solar panels across DXB and DWC.
These panels will generate a combined 39 megawatts peak (MWp) of clean energy, equivalent to 60,346 megawatt-hours (MWh) annually.
This renewable energy will reduce the airports’ carbon footprint by approximately 23,000 tonnes of CO2 each year — equal to removing 5,000 cars from the roads or powering 3,000 homes annually.
The energy generated will meet 6.5% of DXB’s total power needs and 20% of DWC’s, demonstrating the transformative impact of the project on the energy efficiency of airport operations.
The solar panels will be installed on passenger terminals and concourses across both airports, reinforcing Dubai Airports’ vision to integrate sustainability into the core of its operations.
This project builds on previous successful solar installations at DXB’s Terminal 2 and Concourse D, where solar power has already played a vital role in reducing energy consumption and lowering emissions.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer emphasized that the initiative is a key component of Dubai’s sustainability roadmap, which aims to achieve 25% of the energy mix from clean energy sources by 2030 and 100% by 2050. “While our roadmap outlines clear targets, we are proactively accelerating our efforts. We anticipate surpassing these goals, potentially reaching 27% clean energy capacity as early as 2030. Undoubtedly, innovation and cutting-edge technologies are instrumental in expediting our progress towards a greener future.”
The project is also aligned with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision to establish Dubai as one of the most sustainable cities in the world. As part of this strategic direction, the new solar initiative serves as a model for how large-scale infrastructure can incorporate renewable energy solutions.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, shared his enthusiasm for the initiative: “Airports are significant energy consumers, but they also present tremendous opportunities to drive meaningful change. This project is not just about installing solar panels; it’s about embedding sustainability into the core of everything we do. Every kilowatt generated from renewable sources brings us closer to shrinking our carbon footprint and future-proofing our operations.”
The agreement also strengthens the ongoing partnership between Dubai Airports and Etihad ESCO, as the two entities collaborate on driving Dubai’s sustainability agenda.
Dr. Waleed Alnuaimi, CEO of Etihad ESCO, highlighted the importance of the collaboration: “By broadening the solar footprint and implementing transformative initiatives like Shams Dubai, we are not only reducing energy demand but also driving the adoption of sustainable energy solutions across the emirate.”
In addition to expanding its solar footprint, Dubai Airports is engaged in numerous other sustainability initiatives, including retrofitting LED lights, optimizing cooling systems, using biodiesel-powered ground vehicles, and reducing food waste to landfill. These efforts are part of Dubai Airports’ broader strategy to promote environmental sustainability and decarbonize airport operations.
Registrations for participation in the project and its discussions are open until 31 October 2024. This initiative is expected to set a global standard for sustainability in airport operations, demonstrating how large-scale infrastructure projects can contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
