RTA powers up Dubai metro, tram depots with solar

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has begun the process of setting up solar energy panels at the Dubai Metro depots at Jebel Ali and Al Qusais as well as the tram depot at Al Safouh.

The panels will save costs, reduce carbon emissions and conserve resources, the authority said.

Set to be completed by Q1 2024, the project is expected to produce a total of 9.959 megawatts of solar power.

RTA to carry out installation across two phases

The project will be completed in two primary phases.

Phase one will see the mechanical setup during which the supporting structures are erected and the PV panels are mounted.

The second phase involves the electrical setup, which includes laying out the wiring and establishing connections for the solar energy system.

The authority is expected to achieve a total saving of carbon dioxide emissions amounting to 3.962 tonnes annually.

The total solar energy production amounts to 3.165 megawatts at Jebel Ali Metro Depot, 3.804 megawatts at Al Qusais Metro Depot, and 2.990 megawatts at Al Safouh Tram Depot. The expected lifespan of solar panels is 25-30.

A periodic maintenance programme was developed to follow up on energy production readings and monitor the operational efficiency of these facilities.

Through this project, RTA is seeking to materialise the Dubai Government’s “Shams Dubai” initiative and the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy. It also contributes to the realisation of RTA’s long-term strategy aimed at reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, focusing on three primary sectors: public transportation, buildings and related facilities, and waste management.

UAE leading user of solar power

In other news, a recent report published by the Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy revealed that the UAE ranks amongst the top world leaders in solar energy use, driven largely by the vision of its ambitious leadership.

The UAE is the sixth highest per capita consumer of this form of energy in the world, ranking after Australia, The Netherlands, Japan, Israel and Chile, the review showed. The GCC nation has three of the planet’s largest solar sites.

In another key step to promote the use of solar power, Masdar, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), EDF Renewables and JinkoPower along with Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) have launched the world’s largest single-site solar power plant.

The launch comes days ahead of COP28, which is scheduled to begin on November 30.

The 2GW Al Dhafra Solar PV project was inaugurated by Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

Read: UAE unveils world’s largest single-site solar power plant