Gensol Engineering Limited, a leading Indian solar power engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm, has been awarded a contract worth $22. 2 million (AED 81.6 million) to install rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for an aviation company’s engineering facilities in Dubai.
The project will have a total installed capacity of 23 megawatts (MW) and is part of the UAE’s broader push towards clean energy.
The contract, awarded by an unnamed sustainable development and clean energy company, will cover 20 months and includes the design, construction, testing, and long-term operation of the solar PV systems.
Gensol will also be responsible for the procurement of materials and ongoing maintenance after the systems are operational.
Kapil K. Nirmal, CEO of Solar EPC (MENA) at Gensol Engineering, hailed the partnership as a milestone for the company’s expansion in the Middle East. “This project underlines our commitment to delivering innovative solar solutions and aligns with Dubai’s vision of becoming a global clean energy leader by 2050,” Nirmal said in a statement.
The solar installation will play a key role in helping Dubai meet its sustainability targets, contributing to a significant reduction in the carbon footprint of a critical industrial sector in the region.
Earlier this month, Dubai Airports revealed plans to significantly increase its solar energy capacity with a landmark collaboration aimed at installing the world’s largest rooftop solar panel system at an airport.
The project, launched in partnership with Etihad Clean Energy Development Company, a subsidiary of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), will reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy efficiency at both Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC).
The announcement was made during the World Green Economy Summit, held from October 2-3, 2024, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Under the new agreement, a total of 62,904 solar panels will be installed across both airports, generating 60,346MWh of clean energy annually by 2026. This project will contribute 39MWp of power, supporting Dubai Airports’ efforts to drastically cut its carbon footprint and decarbonize airport operations.
The panels will cover passenger terminals and concourses across both airports, meeting 6.5% of DXB’s total energy requirements and 20% of DWC’s.
The environmental impact will be considerable, with the project expected to offset 23,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. This reduction is equivalent to removing 5,000 cars from the road or providing enough energy to power 3,000 homes for a year.
Dubai Airports’ solar expansion is part of a broader strategy to integrate sustainability into all aspects of its operations. In recent years, Dubai Airports has implemented a variety of energy-saving measures, including retrofitting LED lights, optimizing air conditioning systems, switching to biodiesel-powered ground vehicles, and cutting food waste that ends up in landfills.
The solar expansion builds upon earlier efforts by Dubai Airports, including the installation of solar panels at DXB’s Terminal 2 and Concourse D. These solar-powered installations have already contributed to reducing the airport’s energy consumption and lowering its emissions. The new project will take these efforts to the next level, further establishing Dubai Airports as a leader in sustainable aviation.
Dubai has been actively promoting rooftop solar installations under its Shams Dubai initiative, launched by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) in 2015. The program encourages commercial and industrial (C&I) entities, as well as residential properties, to install solar photovoltaic systems to generate clean energy for their own consumption.
The initiative is part of the emirate’s broader Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to generate 75% of its energy from renewable sources by mid-century.
Shams Dubai allows building owners to install solar panels and connect them to DEWA’s grid, enabling excess power to be exported back to the grid.
This has spurred growth in the C&I solar sector, with companies across industries adopting solar to reduce energy costs and lower their carbon footprints.
