UAE's Largest Industrial Solar PV Rooftop Initiative Launched

EMSTEEL Group, in a move to bolster its sustainability and decarbonisation efforts, has joined forces with Yellow Door Energy, a leader in sustainable energy solutions in the Middle East and Africa. The partnership is set to create the UAE's largest industrial solar photovoltaic (PV) rooftop initiative.

This ambitious project is not just a testament to EMSTEEL's dedication to green manufacturing but also marks a significant step towards the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 ambition, showcasing a commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation in renewable energy use within the industrial sector. This initiative reflects a significant step towards the integration of renewable energy sources in the industrial sector, setting a commendable example for sustainable practices across the region.

The project, poised to commence construction in 2025 and expected to be operational by 2026, emphasizes EMSTEEL's strategic pivot towards renewable energy. With an impressive capacity of 31.5 megawatts-peak (MWp), the initiative will harness solar power to electrify EMSTEEL's operations, significantly reducing its carbon footprint and energy expenses.

Saeed Ghumran Saeed Al Remeithi, Group CEO of EMSTEEL, said, "Sustainability is at the core of EMSTEEL's strategy, and advancing our decarbonisation efforts is a key priority as we shape the future of sustainable manufacturing. This partnership with Yellow Door Energy marks an important step in implementing our recently published decarbonisation strategy, by expanding the use of renewable energy across our operations," he said.

Jeremy Crane, Group CEO of Yellow Door Energy, also expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, "With a total capacity of 31.5 MWp, this project demonstrates the potential for solar to power our primary industries in the UAE. As a UAE-founded company, Yellow Door Energy remains committed to helping businesses reduce energy costs and decarbonise their operations."

The solar installations will be spread across 40 EMSTEEL rooftops in ICAD 1, Abu Dhabi, featuring both rooftop and carport solar systems. The use of high-efficiency, bifacial solar panels for carports aims to maximize clean energy output.

This installation is expected to produce around 50 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean electricity annually, offsetting roughly 16,000 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year for the next quarter-century. Such significant reductions in carbon emissions underscore the project's role in EMSTEEL's broader environmental objectives, including a significant reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its operations.

The partnership also introduces a solar lease model, managed by Yellow Door Energy, which alleviates the financial burden of upfront investment from EMSTEEL. This approach not only facilitates the transition to renewable energy but also ensures operational excellence and risk mitigation, allowing EMSTEEL to concentrate on its core business functions while striving towards its decarbonisation targets.

In alignment with its comprehensive decarbonisation strategy, EMSTEEL aims for a 40 percent reduction in absolute GHG emissions in its Steel Business Unit and a 30 percent reduction in its Cement Business Unit by 2030, with 2019 as the baseline. This ambitious goal reaffirms the Group's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, illustrating a proactive approach to environmental stewardship and sustainable development.