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DP World to install 88,000 solar panels

dubai - The project is part of Dewa's Shams Dubai initiative

DP World has commissioned the installation of 88,000 rooftop solar panels on its Dubai facilities in Jebel Ali Free Zone and Mina Rashid - the largest distributed solar rooftop project in the Middle East.

The project is part of the Shams Dubai initiative, launched by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa). The announcement was made at the 18th Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (Wetex) by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dewa; and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman and CEO of DP World; in the presence of Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy.

"We are glad to announce the launch of the largest projects by our customers as part of the Shams Dubai initiative in cooperation with DP World. This will enhance our efforts towards achieving the Smart Dubai initiative, launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into the happiest and smartest city in the world. We are determined to continue building and developing a greener economy to achieve the UAE Vision 2021 and Dubai Plan 2021. We will continue to strive to achieve the Dubai Plan 2021 to establish Dubai as a smart and sustainable city, whose environmental elements are clean, healthy, and sustainable," said Al Tayer.

Al Tayer also said that Dewa is keen on cooperating with all public and private sectors corporations to promote Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050.

Upon the completion of phase one in 2017, the project will provide enough clean power for 3,000 homes a year. It will result in 22,000 tonnes of carbon being saved annually, equivalent to taking 4,500 cars off the road. The solar panels will provide 40 per cent of the total energy consumption of Jafza, one of the world's largest free trade zones.

Phases two and three will follow phase one - which is planned to produce a total of 22 megawatts at peak - with further solar installations due in Jafza and Mina Rashid. With 77 marine and inland terminals in over 40 countries, there is significant scope for DP World to implement the learnings from this project across its operations.

"This landmark initiative will have major environmental benefits and we are pleased to contribute to Dubai's Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 as well as the UAE Vision 2021 for a sustainable environment. We aim to ensure that everything we do has a long-lasting positive impact on economies and society. By raising awareness of renewable energy, we are helping work towards a carbon-neutral future for the UAE. This project demonstrates the scale of DP World's ambition to be a world leader in sustainability and we look forward to sharing the learnings across our business and also with our stakeholders," said bin Sulayem.

The Shams Dubai initiative allows customers to install PV panels on their rooftops to generate electricity from solar power and connect the systems to Dewa's grid. The electricity is used onsite and the surplus is exported to Dewa's grid. An offset between exported and imported electricity units is conducted and the customer account is settled based on this difference.

- rohma@khaleejtimes.com