UAE’s first solar rooftop in food packaging sector inaugurated

Al Bayader International, the UAE’s sustainable and innovative manufacturer and supplier of packaging and cleaning solutions, and TotalEnergies, a global multi-energy company, have today inaugurated the country’s first and largest solar rooftop within the food packaging sector at its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza).

Set on the rooftop of the plant, the solar system’s high-efficiency photovoltaic panels were installed by TotalEnergies in a 20-year partnership with Al Bayader International.

The 980 kWp solar rooftop plant spans an area of 4,000 square metres and will generate over 1.5 GWh of clean electricity annually.

The solar rooftop was inaugurated by Habiba Al Marashi, Co-Founder and Chairperson of Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), at a special ceremony attended by Nidal Haddad, Founder and CEO of Al Bayader International; Jamil Haddad, Chairman of Al Bayader International; Elias Kassis, President, TotalEnergies in the UAE and TotalEnergies Country Chair in the UAE, Matthieu Langeron, Vice-President TotalEnergies Distributed Generation, Hamady Sy, Managing Director TotalEnergies Renewables Distributed Generation MEA, Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO & Managing Director DP World UAE & Jafza, and representatives of the companies.

Al Bayader International’s solar rooftop is part of the Shams Dubai programme and will offset approx. 700 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually, equivalent to planting over 17 thousand trees.

Every unit of electricity generated by the rooftop will be audited and accounted for by TotalEnergies, with an advanced monitoring system to measure the amount of energy generated and financial benefits thereof, calculated in real time. Through this solar project, TotalEnergies is actively participating to the development of solar energy in the UAE under the Shams Dubai Initiative.

Commenting on the path-breaking industry initiative, Habiba Al Marashi said: “The opening of the solar rooftop by Al Bayader International sets a model for the food packaging industry as well as other sectors to tap the enormous potential of clean solar power generation. The rooftop aligns with the vision of the UAE’s leadership to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and complements the country’s energy transition strategy.”

“The solar rooftop serves the twin objectives of cutting greenhouse gas emissions and reducing the dependence on the public sector power grid by generating clean energy at source and effectively address UN SDG 13 – Climate Action.”

Nidal Haddad added: “The rooftop is part of our wider sustainability programme to be a net zero emissions company and aligns with the National Food Security Strategy 2051, which focuses on promoting food safety while conserving the environment. A sustainable food system is a core priority for the nation, and as the leader in the food packaging sector, we will continue to invest in innovative and sustainable solutions to limit our environmental footprint. Integrating the solar panels on the rooftop of our advanced manufacturing plant will enable us to make long-term financial savings on energy costs and also conserve the environment, contributing to a more sustainable future.”

Elias Kassis declared: “Through our longstanding partnership with the UAE and close relationships with industrial customers in the UAE, TotalEnergies is participating in numerous renewable energies projects and initiatives, fully in line with the Company’s strategy, and contributing to the Climate Ambition of the UAE. We are committed to support companies in the UAE, such as Al Bayader International, in their energy transition. We believe that cooperation among all industrial players is needed to achieve the global objectives of the energy transition to reach carbon neutrality.”

Among Al Bayader International’s sustainability best practices include a Botanical Garden in Jebel Ali that has over 20 types of plants and 240+ trees native to the Mediterranean region, which is irrigated using treated sewage water. The garden offsets 2.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.