New light bulbs for DXB

How many light bulbs does it take to change an airport? Dubai Airports and Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad ESCO) gave their answer this week announcing a joint project to replace 150,000 conventional lamps at Dubai International (DXB), including all high-mast floodlights on the apron and streetlights, with energy efficient LED bulbs.

When combined with plans to erect a photovoltaic (PV) array on the rooftop of Terminal 2, Dubai Airports and Etihad ESCO estimate an 5% reduction of energy consumption at the world’s busiest international airport - equivalent to offsetting C02 emissions by an estimated 22,000 tonnes per year.

The announcement follows the signing of an agreement between the two entities at Wetex 2018 exhibition which opened in Dubai on Tuesday.

The project also involves the installation of a 4,989KWp rooftop solar energy system at DXB’s Terminal 2 – the largest photovoltaic installation at an airport in the Middle East. Comprising approximately 15,118 photovoltaic panels, the massive solar installation will generate up to 7,400 MWh annually. Works on the project will begin in the coming weeks and the installation is expected to be complete by the second half of 2019.

“Dubai Airports’ partnership with Etihad ESCO reflects our commitment to achieve environmental sustainability. We support Dubai’s Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 which aims for 30% reduction in Dubai’s energy consumption by 2030. We believe that these initiatives will help us reduce our carbon footprint significantly and contribute to our efforts towards a carbon neutral future in line with the aviation industry’s target,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.

Ali Al Jassim, CEO, Etihad ESCO, said: “As Etihad ESCO continues to make great strides in its efforts to support the achievement of 30 per cent energy demand reduction in Dubai by 2030, the agreement with Dubai Airports is set to add significant momentum to our journey in this direction. Such partnerships effectively encourage others to intensify their efforts in this regard.”