Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE National Rail Network, has signed a significant agreement with Emerge—a joint venture between Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (Masdar) and EDF Group—to solarize its Ghuweifat freight terminal. The project will feature a 600 kWp ground-mounted solar PV system alongside a 2.56 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), aimed at generating up to 85% of the terminal’s electricity consumption upon completion.
The agreement was formalized by Ahmed Al-Yafei, CEO of Etihad Rail Infrastructure, and Eng. Abdulaziz AlObaidli, Chairman of Emerge. The signing ceremony was attended by notable figures, including H.E. Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, and Luc Koechlin, CEO of EDF Middle East.
Under the agreement, Etihad Rail will utilize Emerge’s advanced technology to produce solar power, which will supply renewable energy to the Ghuweifat freight terminal during daylight hours. This initiative is expected to offset night-time energy consumption and contribute to a reduction of more than 8,500 tons of CO2 emissions over the contract’s duration.
H.E. Shadi Malak remarked on the agreement, stating, “This initiative is a cornerstone of our vision to integrate sustainability into every aspect of our operations. With the support of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we are leading the charge in the shift to a low-carbon and energy-efficient economy.”
Masdar’s CEO, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, noted that the partnership represents a crucial step toward sustainable infrastructure development in the region, emphasizing the collaborative effort to achieve the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategy.
Luc Koechlin, CEO of EDF Group in the Middle East, expressed pride in supporting this innovative initiative, highlighting EDF’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
This solarization project is part of Etihad Rail’s long-term commitment to environmental stewardship and aligns with its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy. The Ghuweifat freight terminal is strategically located at the Saudi Arabian border, enhancing its role as a hub for sustainable logistics solutions and green freight operations.
Emerge, formed in 2021, specializes in developing distributed solar, energy storage, and hybrid solutions for commercial and industrial applications, offering clients turnkey solutions through solar power agreements without upfront costs.
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