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

1 year 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

Noon And Yango Switch On Robot Deliveries In Dubai

The rollout folds autonomous couriers into noon’s rapid-delivery network as the UAE tests everyday autonomy.

Published

3 days ago

December 10, 2025

Nour Nasir

noon and yango switch on robot deliveries in dubai

Noon and Yango Group have signed an agreement to put autonomous robot deliveries into commercial use in Dubai, turning Yango’s earlier pilots into a daily service for noon Minutes orders. The launch in Sobha Hartland is the first full integration of Yango Autonomy’s electric robots with a major e-commerce network in the region, with wider deployment planned across Dubai and, later, other GCC markets.

Residents can choose a robot at checkout, track it in the app and unlock its compartment once it arrives. The hardware runs on Yango’s AI navigation and routing stack, which plans paths, avoids obstacles and yields to pedestrians. The units had already covered more than 1,500 kilometers during previous Dubai pilots, a test bed that demonstrated their ability to operate in mixed pedestrian environments and dense residential streets.

The rollout adds a contactless option to noon’s last-mile network and is positioned as extra capacity during peak periods. “Partnering with Yango Group lets us bring a future-ready delivery option straight to our customers,” said Ali Kafil-Hussain, noon’s Chief Business Officer. Noon has used Minutes to set rapid-delivery expectations in UAE cities; autonomous units now slot into that same high-frequency model.

Regulatory clearance from Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority underpins the move. The RTA authorized Yango’s robots to operate on public walkways and in neighborhoods, smoothing the shift from controlled trials to commercial work. Dubai has framed autonomous mobility as part of its smart-city buildout, and the partners lean on that agenda to accelerate integration.

Also Read: Uber And WeRide Roll Out Driverless Robotaxis In Abu Dhabi

For Yango, the partnership is an anchor for its autonomy platform in the Gulf. Islam Abdul Karim, Yango’s Middle East regional head, said the aim is to make autonomous delivery an “everyday, reliable service” for UAE communities. The company views operational data from early districts as the basis for scaling into more communities and, eventually, cross-border rollouts.

The move lands as Gulf retailers search for faster fulfilment and lower-emission logistics. Autonomous couriers remain a small share of last-mile delivery, but Dubai’s approvals and early usage data give the partners a clearer path to turn pilots into durable infrastructure.