Dubai Airports Company will install photovoltaic batteries on the roofs of Dubai International and Dubai World Central airports, helping to provide electricity to 3,000 households.
Dubai takes a major step towards renewable energy production with a groundbreaking airport initiative. Recently, Dubai Airports announced a partnership with Etihad Clean Energy Development Company, a subsidiary of DEWA, to begin the world’s largest rooftop photovoltaic installation project at the airport. Through harnessing solar energy, Dubai Airports aims to largely reduce carbon emissions, contributing to a greener aviation industry, Interesting Engineering reported on October 5.
This important clean energy project will be fully operational in 2026, including the installation of 62,904 photovoltaic panels at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC) airports. The project’s annual electricity output reaches 60,346 MWh. Photovoltaic panels will help reduce 23,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year, equivalent to the emissions from 5,000 cars, and the amount of electricity generated can supply 3,000 households a year. Solar energy will provide 6.5% and 20% of DXB and DWC’s electricity needs respectively, supporting Dubai Airports’ cleaner, smarter and more sustainable operations
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, vice chairman of the Dubai Supreme Energy Council and director of management and operations of DEWA, emphasized that the roadmap aims to reach 25% of total electricity from clean energy sources by 2030 and 100% by 2050, efforts are accelerating. He hopes clean energy capacity will reach 27% by 2030. According to Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai Airports, airports consume large amounts of electricity, posing both an opportunity and a responsibility for real change.
Dr. Waleed Alnuaimi, managing director of Etihad ESCO, emphasized that long-term cooperation with Dubai Airports is important in promoting Dubai’s sustainability agenda. The successful installation of photovoltaic batteries in terminal 2 and concourse D of DXB helps reduce electricity consumption and emissions.