Dubai Airports Launch Largest Rooftop Solar Project

A week after JFK International airport disclosed plans to install over 13,000 solar panels on its terminal one in New York, Dubai Airports has announced a landmark collaboration with Etihad Clean Energy Development Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DEWA, to launch the world’s largest rooftop solar panel installation project at its airports.

The agreement was signed by Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports and Dr Waleed Alnuaimi, CEO of Etihad ESCO, during the World Green Economy Summit held in Dubai on October 2 and 3.

H H Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, and Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) were among those present.

This phased project of total 39MWp of clean energy, which will be fully operational by 2026, involves the installation of 62,904 solar panels across Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) airports, set to generate 60,346MWh annually. It marks a significant stride toward decarbonising airport operations.

The solar panels, which will span passenger terminals and concourses across both airports, are expected to offset 23,000 tonnes of CO2 annually — equivalent to taking 5,000 cars off the road or powering 3,000 homes for a year.

The energy generated will meet 6.5% of DXB’s power needs and 20% of DWC’s, reinforcing Dubai Airports’ long-term vision for cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable operations.

Developing Sustainable Airports

Speaking on the occasion, Griffiths said that airports were significant energy consumers, but with that comes tremendous opportunity and responsibility to drive real change. For Dubai Airports, this is not just about installing solar panels but about embedding sustainability into the core of everything of Dubai Airports.

“Every kilowatt we generate from renewable sources brings us closer to shrinking our carbon footprint and future-proofing our operations. This is about setting the standard and leading the way for what a truly sustainable airport can achieve,” he added.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer said that while DEWA’s roadmap outlines clear targets of achieving 25% of the energy mix from clean energy sources by 2030, and 100% by 2050, they were proactively accelerating their efforts.

We anticipate surpassing these goals, potentially reaching 27% clean energy capacity as early as 2030, which would enable us to achieve our 2050 vision ahead of schedule. Undoubtedly, innovation and cutting-edge technologies are instrumental in expediting our progress towards a greener future, he added.

Etihas ESCO CEO Dr Waleed Alnuaimi said that their longstanding partnership with Dubai Airports plays a pivotal role in their strategy to accelerate Dubai’s sustainability agenda.

By broadening the solar footprint and implementing transformative initiatives like Shams Dubai, they were not only reducing energy demand but also driving the adoption of sustainable energy solutions across the Emirate, he added.

This solar initiative complements a series of ongoing environmental sustainability efforts by Dubai Airports, from strategic partnerships in the aviation sector to collaborative efforts within the oneDXB community, which includes airlines, service providers, and regulatory authorities managing the airport’s critical touchpoints.

Whether it’s retrofitting hundreds of thousands of LED lights, optimising cooling systems, switching to biodiesel-powered ground vehicles, or cutting food waste to landfill, Dubai Airports is committed to making measurable, impactful changes — one step at a time.

The project builds on the successful installation of solar panels at DXB’s Terminal 2 and Concourse D, where solar power is already playing a vital role in reducing energy consumption and lowering emissions.

While ambition and innovation drive progress, the key to achieving sustainable transformation lies in collaboration, foresight, and consistent action. Dubai Airports is focused on ensuring these values guide every initiative, aligning with Dubai’s and the UAE’s broader environmental objectives to create a better tomorrow, together.