News

Dubai To Install World’s Largest Airport Rooftop Solar Array

The project will mark a significant step toward greener airport operations and sustainable energy development.

Published

2 years ago

October 7, 2024

dubai to install world's largest airport rooftop solar array

In partnership with Etihad Clean Energy Development Company, Dubai Airports is launching the largest rooftop solar panel installation ever seen at an airport. This major project marks a significant step toward greener airport operations and sustainable energy development.

The agreement for the initiative was signed by Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, and Dr. Waleed Alnuaimi, CEO of Etihad ESCO, during the World Green Economy Summit (WGES).

Chairman and CEO of the Emirates Group, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, highlighted that this project aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to make Dubai one of the world’s most sustainable cities. He pointed out, “Our roadmap sets clear goals for achieving 25% of energy from clean sources by 2030 and 100% by 2050. However, we are working ahead of schedule and aim to surpass our 2030 target, potentially reaching 27% clean energy by then. Innovation and advanced technologies will continue accelerating our journey towards a greener future”.

The installation will be fully operational by 2026 and includes 62,904 solar panels spread across Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC) airports, producing 39MWp of clean energy. This solar energy will power 6.5% of DXB’s needs and 20% of DWC’s, with the annual generation of 60,346MWh of electricity. This renewable energy initiative will offset 23,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually, equivalent to removing 5,000 cars from the roads or powering 3,000 homes annually.

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Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, emphasized that airports are major energy consumers and bear a significant responsibility to implement meaningful changes. “This isn’t just about adding solar panels — it’s about embedding sustainability into our operations. Every kilowatt we generate brings us closer to minimizing our carbon footprint and securing a sustainable future for airport operations”.

Dr. Waleed Alnuaimi, CEO of Etihad ESCO, reiterated the importance of this partnership, stating, “This project and others like it are essential for advancing Dubai’s sustainability goals. By expanding the solar infrastructure, we reduce energy demands and increase the use of sustainable solutions”.

The initiative builds on the successful installation of solar panels at DXB’s Terminal 2 and Concourse D. These projects, alongside future innovations, show Dubai Airports’ commitment to environmental sustainability and reflect the UAE’s broader goals for a greener future.

News

Abu Dhabi’s Robot Kitchen Is Serving Up Biryani, Not Burgers

Circus SE wants to put a tiny automated factory inside the buildings where Gulf residents live and work, bypassing part of last-mile delivery.

Published

4 days ago

October 20, 2026

Nour Nasir

abu dhabi's robot kitchen is serving up biryani not burgers

Circus SE

The most telling thing about a new autonomous kitchen now running in Abu Dhabi’s Marina Square is what it won’t cook:

“We don’t do fast food,” says Nikolas Bullwinkel, Founder and CEO of Circus SE. “We’ve actively decided not to build a machine that can only do burgers”.

Instead, the CA-1 system is built around pot-based cooking: curries, pastas, soups and rice dishes. After experimenting with highly personalized recipes, Circus deliberately leaned back toward recognizable food. “We’re going with a chicken biryani because you know it,” Bullwinkel says of the AED 40 dish.

circus se ca-1 robot system

The Germany-based robotics and food technology company operates across eight countries, and Abu Dhabi is its first deployment outside Europe. More locations are expected there and in Dubai.

In Germany, its units can be placed in supermarkets, gas stations, airports and hospitals. In the Gulf, Bullwinkel wants them inside residential and office buildings, replacing some of the complexity of last-mile delivery. “We’re basically bringing a very tiny factory a few square meters into your building,” he says. Catering company Royal Prestige supplies the ingredients and knowledge of local tastes.

The CA-1 manages up to 36 refrigerated ingredient silos alongside automated induction cooking, robotic plating and a self-cleaning dishwasher. Two robotic arms move ingredients through the system with minimal human intervention. It can produce up to 120 hot meals an hour, and a meal such as rice and curry can take around three to four minutes.

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Five cameras and multiple sensors monitor heat, temperature and consistency, an attempt to approximate what a chef perceives. “You can hear something gets burned, you can smell it, you can see it at some point,” Bullwinkel says. CircusOS, the company’s operating system, adjusts recipes in real time.

You might think of the platform as a threat to kitchen staff, but Bullwinkel frames Circus as a way for chefs to develop recipes and distribute them at scale. With that being said, rising labor costs and shortages are also part of his case for automation.