Majid Al Futtaim, Yellow Door Energy to develop Bahrain’s largest private solar plant

UAE’s Majid Al Futtaim has signed a 6.2 megawatt-peak solar power purchase agreement (PPA) with solar developer Yellow Door Energy.

The agreement will bring clean energy to The Bahrain Mall, operated by Carrefour Bahrain, and will be the largest private solar plant in the kingdom, a statement said. Spanning over 40,000 square meters, the rooftop solar plant is expected to generate 10 million kilowatt-hours of clean energy in its first year of operation, equivalent to reducing carbon emissions by 6,300 tonnes.

Over 11,600 solar panels will be installed to meet 50 per cent of the shopping mall’s energy consumption needs.

Dr. Abdul Hussain Bin Ali Mirza, president of the Sustainable Energy Authority said the signing of these agreements comes as a result of the cooperative efforts between the authority and the private sector and that the project constitutes an important shift in the provision of energy to major commercial projects.

Hani Weiss, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Retail, said: “The kingdom of Bahrain, like other Gulf countries, has made clear its sustainable vision for the future, with the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 setting a national renewable energy target of five per cent by 2025 and ten per cent by 2035. These ambitions require the support of the private sector, and that’s why Majid Al Futtaim and Yellow Door Energy have partnered to bring clean energy to The Bahrain Mall.”

Jerome Akel, country manager of Carrefour Bahrain at Majid Al Futtaim Retail, said: “This momentous solar power purchase agreement with Yellow Door Energy enables us to save cost, reduce carbon emissions and take a step closer to our Net Positive Strategy. This will not only help us take forward the company’s vision of creating ‘great moments for everyone, everyday’ but it will also allow us to translate the savings and environmental benefits into memorable experiences for all visitors at The Bahrain Mall every year.”

“As the leading solar developer with 120 megawatts of solar assets in the Middle East and Pakistan, Yellow Door Energy looks forward to commissioning the solar plant and to bringing affordable and clean energy to more leading businesses in Bahrain that is in line with the Kingdom’s National Renewable Energy Action Plan,” noted Rory McCarthy, Chief Commercial Officer of Yellow Door Energy.

As Carrefour Bahrain leads the solar plant project for the next two decades, Yellow Door Energy will also invest and support the project by building, designing and maintaining the solar plant, the statement added.

This agreement is part of the renovation and expansion plan at The Bahrain Mall, which will be completed by 2022.