Mohammed Al Muallem: Smart green business environment will strengthen Dubai’s integrated energy strategy

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 24 October, 2018:   Regional trade enabler DP World, UAE Region unveil five clean energy initiatives at the Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) 2018 this week, the Middle East’s leading trade show for the energy, water, and sustainability industries.

Renewable energy such as solar, waste recycling, and the development of a zero emission supply chain management across its regional and global operations are part of the company’s sustainability focus across its global network.  

On display DP World’s solar rooftop project, which involves the installation of 157,000 solar panels at its Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) and Mina Rashid Terminal facilities. When complete, it will be the largest solar photovoltaic project in the GCC and the largest distributed solar programme in the Middle East. 

It will generate 63 Gigawatt-hours of energy a year, enough to power around 4,600 homes and will remove as much carbon from the atmosphere that one million trees would.

The project is currently under development and is being implemented in two phases. Phase 1 is nearly complete, with 90 per cent of the 88,000 solar panels installed and is in its final stages of construction. Phase 2 will see the installation of 140,000 panels with construction to begin shortly.

Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region, said: “The creation of a smart green business environment is a business requirement and a social commitment. Through our innovative Solar Power Programme, Zero Waste Project, and other initiatives, we will improve our operational efficiency and reduce costs to the benefit of our stakeholders and customers alike. We plan to create a Zero Emission Supply Chain across our global portfolio, setting new global standards for sustainable and responsible business.”

“Our projects will also contribute to Dubai’s Integrated Energy Strategy to reduce energy demand by 30 per cent by 2030. Through our efforts we are working toward a carbon neutral future for the UAE which will have a long lasting positive impact on our people and society.”

DP World is also showcasing its Zero Waste in Jafza initiative to eliminate waste leaving the free zone. Solutions include encouraging waste reduction, converting food waste to compost, recycling and allowing only recyclable waste to be exported through Jebel Ali Port if necessary.

A new DP World Solar Monitoring App has been unveiled at WETEX 2018, which will allow remote, real time monitoring of solar generation systems. The app tracks individual systems and components in case of failures or breakdowns and allows data to be collected to develop predictive models that can improve efficiency and performance.

DP World has made significant investments in sustainable technologies and projects over the past decade. In 2018, it managed to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 24 per cent, over 44 per cent of which has come from alternative fuel initiatives. The company also recycles more than 9,700 tonnes of waste each year, the equivalent of 10 million average sized garbage bags used in homes. 

Options to develop other alternative energy sources to meet consumption requirements, such as off-shore wind farms, marine geothermal stations, and tidal and wave energy facilities are also being reviewed.