SOLAR SAVINGS

Savings of Dhs80 million are expected to be achieved at four Majid Al Futtaim malls, following the signing of a solar power deal with Enova.

Solar panels were fitted at City Centre Me’aisem and My City Centre Al Barsha a year ago. And this new agreement will see the technology installed at Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif and City Centre Fujairah.

The move will cut the four malls’ carbon dioxide emissions by 3200 tonnes per year – the equivalent of taking 700 cars off the road.

The solar panels absorb energy from the sun, converting it into electricity, which is fed directly into the malls’ electrical networks.

Around 12,500 panels will be installed across the buildings, covering an area of 25,000 square metres, including 1020 car ports.

Enova CEO Anne Le Guennec said: “Our energy-management solutions are based on a comprehensive package of services, including design, commissioning, strategy and long-term maintenance – and when parts eventually expire we’ll take them away for recycling.”

Ibrahim Al-Zu’bi, Head of Sustainability at Majid Al Futtaim Holding, added: “Our mission is to enhance people’s lives through sustainable real estate. We aim to slash water and energy consumption; to create more of these resources than we consume by 2040; and to ensure that at least five per cent of energy used will come from renewable sources by 2018.”