The successful integration of solar power into two district cooling facilities managed by the Ministry of Defence in Abu Dhabi marks a significant step forward in the UAE’s shift to sustainable energy. This program represents a significant milestone in the UAE’s efforts to decarbonise vital infrastructure.
The project is the product of a strategic collaboration between the Ministry of Defence, Tabreed (the National Central Cooling Company), and Emerge, a joint venture founded by Masdar and France’s EDF Group. A formal agreement was reached earlier in 2024, establishing a 25-year operational period for the solar panels.
Approximately 4,000 solar panels have been placed at the two district cooling facilities. These solar arrays are presently providing 2.4 megawatts (MW) of electricity, which powers critical activities such as thermal energy storage systems and chilled water pumps.
An inauguration ceremony was performed to mark the project’s completion. Tabreed CEO Khalid Al Marzooqi emphasised the long-standing collaboration with the Ministry, which began in 1998 with the construction of the first district cooling plant. Michel Abi Saab, General Manager of Emerge, emphasised the project’s importance in furthering decentralised solar solutions in the UAE.
