UAE Ministry of Defence Commissions Solar-Powered District Cooling Plants in Strategic Partnership with Tabreed and Emerge

In a significant stride toward sustainability, the UAE Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with district cooling giant Tabreed and renewable energy venture Emerge, announced the completion of a solar energy integration project at two district cooling plants serving the Ministry’s facilities in Abu Dhabi.

The development follows a partnership agreement signed in March 2024 to construct solar photovoltaic (PV) plants that will operate for a span of 25 years. As part of the project, approximately 4,000 solar panels have been installed, delivering 2.4 megawatts (MW) of clean electricity to power chilled water pumps and thermal energy storage systems. The initiative is expected to offset over 2,600 tons of CO₂ emissions annually and reduce the cooling plants’ reliance on the national grid during peak hours.

The project was officially inaugurated by high-ranking representatives from the Ministry of Defence, Tabreed, and Emerge. It aligns with the UAE Armed Forces Climate Change Strategy, unveiled in December 2023, which aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions across military operations as part of a broader national energy transition.

Khalid Al Marzooqi, CEO of Tabreed, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership, stating, “Sustainability is a core value at Tabreed. This achievement builds on our long-standing relationship with the Ministry of Defence since 1998. From introducing geothermal energy to now integrating solar, we remain committed to supporting the UAE’s net-zero agenda.”

Michel Abi Saab, General Manager of Emerge – a joint venture between Masdar and France’s EDF Group – noted the broader implications of the project. “This milestone showcases the accelerating adoption of distributed solar solutions across critical infrastructure. By enabling decarbonisation and cost-efficiency, we’re helping institutions like the Ministry of Defence achieve meaningful environmental impact.”

The initiative highlights the UAE’s growing leadership in clean energy adoption, with public-private partnerships playing a vital role in achieving the country’s long-term climate goals.