12,000 solar panels being added to Dubai malls

Majid Al Futtaim, the mall operator, is looking to have at least 5 per cent of the energy that it uses to power its operations come from renewables by the end of the year.

More than 12,000 solar panels will be added to malls across Dubai, to help save Dh80 million in energy costs over 25 years.

Enova, a joint venture between Dubai’s Majid Al Futtaim and Veolia of France, will install 12,500 panels at four Majid Al Futtaim Malls in a deal signed this week coinciding with the World Environment Day.

The mall operator is looking to have at least 5 per cent of the energy that it uses to power its operations come from renewables by the end of the year. The shopping centres that will be outfitted with the panels include Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif and City Centre Fujairah. The total investment was not disclosed.

Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, Majid Al Futtaim’s managing director of shopping malls, said investing in renewables was the company’s prerogative as it looks to become a regional leader in the environment. "We want to lead by example by applying international best practices across our portfolio and have a positive impact on the communities we serve," he said.

This comes after City Centre Me’aisem and My City Centre Al Barsha began generating some of their electricity from solar panels last year. Majid Al Futtaim said the new deal will help to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 3,200 tonnes a year, or the equivalent of removing 700 cars from the road.

The solar panels will need to be replaced in 25 years, and Enova has brokered a deal to ensure that the manufacturers collect and process end-of-life equipment.

"Our energy management solutions are based on a comprehensive package of services, including design, commissioning, strategy and long-term maintenance – and when parts eventually expire, we’ll take them away for recycling," said Anne Le Guennec, the chief executive of Enova.

Follow The National’s Business section on Twitter