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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.
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
Nano Banana 2 Arrives In MENA For Google Gemini Users
Google brings its latest image model to Gemini and Search, adding 4K output and tighter text control for regional users.
Google has opened access to Nano Banana 2 across the Middle East and North Africa, pushing its newest image model into everyday tools rather than keeping it inside the exclusive (and expensive) Pro tier.
The rollout spans the Google Gemini desktop and mobile apps, and extends to Google Search through Lens and AI Mode. Developers can also test it in preview via AI Studio and the Gemini API.
Nano Banana 2 runs on Gemini Flash, Google’s fast inference layer. The focus is speed, but also control. Users can export visuals from 512px up to 4K, adjusting aspect ratios for everything from vertical social posts to widescreen displays.
The model maintains character likeness across up to five figures and preserves fidelity for as many as 14 objects within a single workflow. This enables visual continuity across scenes, iterations, or edits — supporting projects like short films, storyboards, and multi-scene narratives. Text rendering has also been improved, delivering legible typography in mockups and greeting cards, with built-in translation and localization directly within images.
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Under the hood, the system taps Gemini’s broader knowledge base and pulls in real-time information and imagery from web search to render specific subjects more accurately. Lighting and fine detail have been upgraded, without slowing output.
By embedding the model inside Gemini and Search, Google is normalizing advanced image generation for a mass audience. In MENA, where startups and marketing teams are leaning heavily on AI to scale content across languages and borders, that shift lands at a practical moment.
The move also folds creative tooling deeper into search itself, so that image generation is no longer a separate workflow. It now sits right next to the query box.
