Dubai Airports has entered into a strategic agreement with Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad ESCO), a subsidiary of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), to launch the final phase of its comprehensive lighting retrofit project. This marks a major advancement in the operator’s sustainability agenda, focusing on energy efficiency across Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) airports.
The upcoming phase will see the replacement of more than 180,000 conventional lighting fixtures with high-efficiency LED alternatives. This follows an earlier phase that upgraded 150,000 fixtures at DXB. Together, the project encompasses the retrofit of over 330,000 lighting units, making it one of the most extensive airport-wide lighting upgrades in the Middle East.
Once completed, the initiative is expected to reduce annual energy consumption by 47 million kilowatt-hours (kWh)—an amount equivalent to powering over 4,300 homes for an entire year. The project is also anticipated to generate annual operational cost savings of more than AED 20 million. These outcomes align with Dubai Airports’ broader goals of reducing environmental impact while improving operational performance.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA, highlighted the alignment of the initiative with national climate objectives. “Aligned with the UAE’s commitment to climate resilience and sustainable growth, this collaboration supports both the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050. The partnership demonstrates how public-private cooperation can advance energy efficiency and emissions reduction goals,” he said.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, emphasized the role of airports as both major energy users and potential sustainability leaders. “This lighting retrofit project goes beyond infrastructure efficiency—it represents a shift in how we embed sustainability into our core operations. Every kilowatt-hour saved takes us closer to our goal of building a resilient and environmentally responsible aviation hub,” he said.
Dr Waleed Alnuaimi, CEO of Etihad ESCO, described the project as a model for sustainable transformation. “This final phase demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships in achieving measurable outcomes—from reduced energy use to a lowered carbon footprint. Our work with Dubai Airports is part of our larger mission to make Dubai a global example of smart and sustainable urban development,” he said.
Installation of the new lighting systems is set to begin later this year, with completion expected by the second half of 2027. The project reinforces Dubai Airports’ commitment to decarbonising operations through high-impact clean energy initiatives and supports Dubai’s positioning as a global leader in sustainable aviation infrastructure.
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