Dubai based DP World commissioned the installation of 88,000 solar rooftop photovoltaic (PV) panels on its facilities. Phase one of the initiative is expected to completed by 2017 with a peak power production capacity of 22MW, providing 40% of the total energy consumption of Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), one of the world’s largest free trade zones, reported ESI Africa.
DP World has appointed Green Energy Tomorrow, Phanes Group’s rooftop solar specialist, to deliver the solar panels on its warehouses, office buildings and car parks in the Jafza and Mina Rashid Port, according to Port Technology.
The DP World solar program 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% by 2030. It also supports the United Arab Emirates (UAE) vision 2021 for a sustainable environment. The solar scheme is one of the largest initiatives to be implemented under the recently launched Shams Dubai programme by Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA).
In related UAE energy news, Egypt Oil&Gas reported in September that Abu Dhabi has received six bids to build a 350MW solar power plant in Sweihan, east of Abu Dhabi in the UAE. The proposed plant will generate 7% of its power from green methods by 2020.
