DP World has been installing 88,000 solar panels in Jebel Ali and Port Rashid to make the free zone

Port operator DP World and its flagship subsidiary Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) have installed 88,000 solar panels across buildings in Jebel Ali and Port Rashid as part of a commitment to invest in more sustainable projects.

The solar panels have been installed on rooftops of buildings, car parks, and warehouses, while over 85,000 conventional light fixtures and lamps have been replaced with energy-saving LED lamps as part of this drive for sustainability-led initiatives.

Several Jafza companies have started installing solar panels in their own facilities, contributing to a greener environment and contributing towards Dubai’s daytime peak electrical loads.

Jafza has started several retrofit projects, which includes work on 28 office buildings that will save 25% of energy consumption once complete in 2018.

In addition, the free zone recently completed the biggest retrofit project in the region in collaboration with Etihad Energy.

Jafza replaced 5,200 old window air-conditioning units with modern energy efficient split a/c units for 157 accommodation buildings housing 55,000 people living and working in the free zone.

DP World and the Jafza have several solar projects in the pipeline and under construction, including Phase 1 of a 22 MWp roof top solar project within the free zone, with several facilities already supplying power to its grid.

Phase 2 of the project for another 15-25 MWp is about to be contracted and is scheduled for completion in 2019.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, DP World Group chairman and CEO, said: “Jafza encourages its customers to reduce energy consumption, conserve natural resources and reduce carbon emissions so that we can secure the rights of future generations to a safe and clean environment.”