Abu Dhabi Airports and Masdar complete development of largest solar-powered car park in Abu Dhabi

The new project has been installed at the Midfield Terminal car park and can generate 3 megawatts of power

Abu Dhabi International Airport. Excess energy from the solar-powered car park will be fed to other parts of the airport. Masdar and Abu Dhabi Airports

Abu Dhabi Airports and Masdar completed the development of the emirate's largest solar-powered car park at Abu Dhabi International Airport, the two companies said on Tuesday.

The 3-megawatt project involved the installation of solar panels on canopies at the car park at the airport's new Midfield Terminal.

“Net-zero development has been a central ethos in the design and construction of the Midfield Terminal,” Shareef Al Hashmi, chief executive of Abu Dhabi Airports, said.

“By making smart and sustainable choices during its development in our use of double glazing, efficient lighting and environmental controls, we have achieved considerable reductions across the building’s wider energy use.”

The energy generated by the grid-connected project will be used to power the car park, with excess energy fed to other parts of the airport.

The project was financed and constructed by Masdar, according to the statement. The company will also provide operation and maintenance services for a 25-year period.

“The delivery of this landmark project for the new Midfield Terminal highlights the commitment of Masdar and Abu Dhabi Airports to supporting the UAE’s Energy Strategy 2050 and its climate change mitigation goals, as well as demonstrating Masdar’s strength as a preferred partner in renewable energy project collaborations," Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, chief executive of Masdar, said.

The UAE aims to increase the contribution of renewable sources to about 50 per cent of the country’s energy mix by 2050.

Abu Dhabi Airports, created in 2006 to develop Abu Dhabi's aviation infrastructure, currently manages and operates five airports in the emirate.

It is also building the Midfield Terminal, the new hub for UAE flag-carrier Etihad Airways at Abu Dhabi International Airport, with a capacity to handle 45 million passengers annually.

Abu Dhabi Airports is wholly-owned by state holding company ADQ, while Masdar is owned by Mubadala Investment Company.

Masdar is currently active in more than 30 countries with a total renewable energy capacity of 10.7 gigawatts from a combined investment of about $19.9 billion.

It is also involved in the development of the world's largest solar plant at Al Dhafra in Abu Dhabi. The 2-gigawatt plant is expected to be fully operational next year.

Earlier this year, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) completed the first firing of a Siemens Energy H-class gas turbine at the new Dh1bn ($272 million) power plant under development at EGA's Jebel Ali site as the company aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions from its power generation and aluminium-smelting operations.

German car maker BMW also signed a deal with EGA  to source metal made using solar power earlier this year.