Global trade enabler DP World and its flagship subsidiary Jebel Ali Free Zone, Jafza, are to participate in the Water, Energy and Environment Technology Fair, WETEX, being held from October 23rd - 25th at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

As part of its commitment to sustainability, DP World has been installing 88,000 solar panels in Jebel Ali and Port Rashid on the rooftops of buildings, car parks and warehouses.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman and CEO, stressed the importance of WETEX as a global platform that brings together companies to showcase their sustainability efforts.

He said, "Jafza encourages its customers to reduce energy consumption, conserve natural resources and reduce carbon emissions so that we can secure the rights of future generations to a safe and clean environment."

Jafza has recently completed the biggest retrofit project in the region, with Etihad Energy, of 157 accommodation buildings housing 55,000 people working for companies in the free zone with the replacement of 5,200 old window air-conditioning units with modern energy efficient split a/c units. The AED85 million project, self-financed through energy savings, is set to meet the target of the UAE 2030 plan to cut energy consumption by 30 percent ahead of time.

Meanwhile, over 85,000 conventional light fixtures and lamps have been replaced with energy-saving LED lamps.

Other planned retrofits for 28 office buildings have also started with a target to save 25 percent of energy consumption once completed in 2018.

DP World and the Jafza Phase 1 roof top solar project of 22 MWp is in an advanced stage of construction with several facilities already supplying power to the grid. Phase 2 of the project for another 15-25 MWp is about to be contracted with completion scheduled for 2019.

Meanwhile, Jafza has installed a smart solar flower to generate solar power for Gate 4’s power requirement. It features solar panels which automatically track the sun to maximise exposure and can adapt to changing weather conditions by folding up if wind speed increases.

Several Jafza companies have started installing solar panels in their own facilities, contributing to a greener environment and contributing towards Dubai’s daytime peak electrical loads.