Dubai Launches Largest Solar Project In Middle East

The Shams Dubai initiative allows customers to install PV panels on their rooftops to generate electricity from solar power, and connect the systems to Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’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.

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

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DP World, launched the project in the presence of HH Sheikh 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 co-operation with DP World. This will enhance our efforts towards achieving the Smart Dubai initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh 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,” Al Tayer said.

DEWA is keen on co-operating with all public and private sectors corporations, to promote Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, Al Tayer stated.

“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 working 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 Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman and CEO.

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 percent of the total energy consumption of Jafza, one of the world’s largest free trade zones.

The DP World Solar Programme will contribute to energy diversification in the region as part of Dubai’s Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, which seeks to reduce energy demand by 30 percent by 2030. It also supports the UAE vision 2021 for a sustainable environment, the national initiative for building a green economy launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The solar scheme is one of the largest initiatives to be implemented under the recently launched Shams Dubai programme by DEWA.

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 learning from this project across its operations.