Emerge, a joint venture between the UAE’s Masdar and France’s EDF Group, has announced the successful energization of two prominent solar photovoltaic (PV) projects on Yas Island. The projects are located at the Yas Marina Circuit and Yas Bay Waterfront, enhancing Abu Dhabi’s offerings in dining, entertainment, and leisure.
The solar car park at Ethara’s Yas Marina Circuit, which has a 1 megawatt peak (MWp) capacity, will generate approximately 30 percent of the circuit’s total annual energy demand. This is equivalent to powering nearly 200 Abu Dhabi households and offsetting 900 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The project, which is under an agreement with the circuit’s operator Ethara, involved the installation of over 1,800 solar modules. Emerge provided a comprehensive turnkey solution, including finance, design, procurement, construction, operations, and maintenance for a period of 25 years.
The second project at Yas Bay Waterfront involved the installation of over 900 solar modules, resulting in a 520kWp capacity. This will power approximately 100 Abu Dhabi households and offset 425 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. Emerge was responsible for the finance, design, procurement, construction, operation, and maintenance of the solar modules for this project.
Jonathan Brown, Chief Portfolio Officer at Miral, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to partner with Emerge once again to incorporate renewable energy solutions across our attractions and destinations, as part of our commitment to developing a sustainable future within the tourism industry. This project is a testament to our dedication to positioning Yas Island as a top global destination for entertainment and leisure while prioritizing sustainable practices.”
Hesham Al Jneibi, General Manager of Yas Marina Circuit and Etihad Park, remarked, “We are extremely proud to have partnered with Emerge on these projects, which align with our goals at Ethara to meet Net Zero emissions in the coming years. We are committed to supporting the UAE’s wide-scale sustainability efforts and setting new standards for responsible event and venue management.”
Michel Abi Saab, General Manager of Emerge, highlighted the importance of the projects, stating, “The energization of these solar projects on Yas Island shows the commitment by Miral and Ethara to sustainability and minimizing their environmental footprint. These projects provide high-quality, reliable clean energy to Abu Dhabi’s race circuit and premier entertainment destinations, attracting millions of visitors. Our successful implementation demonstrates the case for renewable energy at entertainment sites in the UAE.”
The Yas Bay Waterfront project marks the third collaboration between Miral and Emerge. Previously, in March 2023, Miral inaugurated Abu Dhabi’s largest solar rooftop project at Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi, with a 7-megawatt peak (MWp) capacity, covering 36,000 square meters and fulfilling nearly 40 percent of its annual energy demand. Additionally, Emerge has deployed an 8.4 MWp on-site solar energy system at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, scheduled to be commissioned in the second quarter of 2024.
Formed in 2021, Emerge specializes in developing distributed solar, energy storage, and hybrid solutions for commercial and industrial clients. As an energy services company, Emerge offers full turnkey solutions through solar power agreements and energy performance contracting with no upfront cost to the client.
