Majid Al Futtaim, a leading shopping mall, communities, retail, and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, has signed a 6.2 megawatt-peak solar power purchase agreement (PPA) with Yellow Door Energy, a leading solar developer for commercial and industrial businesses in the Middle East and South Asia
The virtual ceremony was attended by Mahmood Al Aradi, chief investment officer of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, Ibrahim Al Zu?bi, chief sustainability officer at Majid Al Futtaim Holding, dignitaries from the Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA), the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE), the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), and representatives from Majid Al Futtaim, Carrefour Bahrain and Yellow Door Energy.
The agreement will bring clean energy to The Bahrain Mall, operated by Carrefour Bahrain, and will be the largest private solar plant in Bahrain. Spanning more than 40,000 square meters, the rooftop solar plant is expected to generate 10 million kilowatt-hours of clean energy in its first year of operation, equivalent to reducing carbon emissions by 6,300 tonnes. Over 11,600 solar panels will be installed to meet 50% of the shopping mall?s energy consumption needs.
Dr Abdul Hussain Bin Ali Mirza, President of the Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA) stated that the signing of these agreements comes as a result of the cooperative efforts between the Sustainable Energy Authority and the private sector that evokes pride, and embodies unity of purpose and the integration of efforts between the government entities and the private sector. This project constitutes an important shift in the provision of energy to major commercial projects, as this is one of the largest private sector projects to install solar energy systems on a commercial building to-date.
Hani Weiss, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Retail, said, ?The Bahrain, like other Gulf countries, has made clear its sustainable vision for the future, with the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 setting a national renewable energy target of 5% by 2025 and ten per cent by 2035. These ambitions require the support of the private sector, and that?s why Majid Al Futtaim and Yellow Door Energy have partnered to bring clean energy to The Bahrain Mall. We hope these acts will serve as an inspiration for more companies to follow the same example and join the contribution towards a more sustainable future.?
