Dubai makes moves to install solar carports

Dewa will add solar panels at its HQ as well as the Ministry of Climate Change

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority will begin adding solar panels on carports in the emirate. Courtesy Dewa

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has launched a new project to install solar panels in the emirate, Dewa said on Friday.

The first two locations for solar carports will be at the Dewa headquarters near Wafi Mall and at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment building.

“We aim to spread the experience to a large number of public and private buildings in Dubai, supporting national efforts to reduce [the UAE's] carbon footprint and increase the proportion of solar energy in the environment-friendly energy mix in Dubai,” said Waleed Salman, Dewa’s executive vice president of business development.

The two projects will generate nearly 2,000 kilowatts, or the equivalent of removing 300 cars from the road.

_________________

Read more:

_________________

“Through the project, we intend to provide comfort and enhance the happiness of our stakeholders, to fulfill our mission, in line with our core values, as well as promote the initiative among all stakeholders, both individuals and institutions, in the public and private sectors,” said Saeed Al Tayer, managing director and chief executive of Dewa.

The scheme is part of Shams Dubai, an initiative launched in 2015 to add solar power to buildings throughout the emirate. Mr Al Tayer said that the utility had completed linking its network with 450 residential and commercial buildings through Shams Dubai, producing 17.7 megawatts of solar energy.

Under the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, clean energy will make up 7 per cent of the emirate’s total energy generated by 2020, 25 per cent by 2030 and 75 per cent by 2050.

Mr Al Tayer added: This will happen by providing practical examples of green and sustainable buildings, to spread a culture of sustainability, reduce energy consumption, and dependence on traditional energy sources, and help Dubai’s government organisations achieve the goal set by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy to reduce by 20 per cent the energy consumption in all government buildings by 2020.”