Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi Enhances Sustainability by Deploying Renewable Energy at its Newly Built Plant Genetic Resource Centre in Al Ain in partnership with TotalEnergies

Abu Dhabi 25th October, 2023: The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the region’s largest environmental regulator, has joined forces with TotalEnergies Renewables Distributed Generation (DG) Middle East & Africa, an affiliate of TotalEnergies, to develop distributed solar energy solutions with solar photovoltaic (PV) panels for the Agency’s newly-built Plant Genetic Resource Centre in Al Ain.

The partnership agreement was signed by HE Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) with TotalEnergies in the UAE.

Under the agreement, TotalEnergies will develop a 330 kWp solar carport for the Genetic Laboratory facility in Al Ain. Featuring 680 photovoltaic panels the solar solution will generate around 500 MWh of clean energy annually and cover an area of 1,360 square metres of carpark shades. This will allow EAD to reduce its annual carbon footprint by 200 tonnes of CO2 – the equivalent to the power requirement of around 25 homes’ energy use in one year.

The 20-year solar power equipment lease agreement, which covers solar installation, operations and maintenance and the production of solar energy at the Plant Genetic Resource Centre by TotalEnergies, means the Centre will use the solar power produced from the system for its power requirements.

Ahmed Al Hashmi, Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD, said: “We are very excited about this collaboration with a global pioneering company like TotalEnergies. Through this lease agreement we at the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi will be contributing to lower carbon emissions in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which is in alignment with the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy and the UAE leadership’s ambitious programme to produce power from clean and renewable sources by 2035, and marks a significant milestone in the UAE’s journey to deliver carbon neutrality by 2050. We selected solar energy for our Plant Genetic Resource Centre to enhance our sustainability efforts to strongly complement our native plants species conservation endeavours.”

Gipin Mani, UAE & Oman Country Director, TotalEnergies Renewables DG Middle East & Africa said: “We are honoured to collaborate with the EAD on this landmark project, which represents a fusion of technological excellence and environmental stewardship. By Integrating renewable energy solutions into critical infrastructure like the Plant Genetic Resource Centre, we are paving the way with our partners for a sustainable future, preserving biodiversity and reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global leader in environmental conservation. Our partnership on this project spanning 20 years entails not only the installation but also the seamless integration, operation, and maintenance of the solar system. Drawing on our rich portfolio of similar distributed generation projects totalling over 100 MW in the region, we are well positioned to ensure highest quality, performance and reliability of solar infrastructure. As a responsible market leader, we are proud to partner with EAD to foster a sustainable development and make significant strides towards a greener future”.

The Agency is planning to launch its Plant Genetic Resource Centre by the end of 2023, promoting the UAE as a leader in plant conservation. It is the region’s largest and most complex centre of its kind and will use various methods of long-term conservation for seeds, plant parts, tissues, and full-grown plants, supplemented by genomic and genetic conservation studies. The aim is to conserve UAE flora and its genetic diversity for generations to come.

TotalEnergies has been present in the UAE for over 80 years and as part of its ambition to produce more energy with less emissions, it is now developing solar projects for industrial and commercial customers in the region.

In the UAE, TotalEnergies – through the TotalEnergies Foundation – has partnered with EAD on a commitment to preserving sensitive ecosystems in addition to reducing the carbon intensity of the Agency’s energy mix. The relationship with EAD dates to 1999 with the launch of the first conservation programme dedicated to conserving the second largest population of dugongs in the world.

In addition, due to its reinforced commitment to climate action, TotalEnergies has partnered with EAD on a nurture biodiversity study at Al Wathba Wetland Reserve as well as efforts to protect the flamingoes’ local habitat.

Recently, an agreement was made between TotalEnergies UAE and EAD on research initiatives to managing coastal habitats for resilience to climate change. Through this agreement, TotalEnergies Foundation is collaborating with the Agency on meeting challenges, identifying needs and planning activities across different teams on topics such as carbon sequestration, nature-based solutions, as well as soil and air amendment and quality for mangroves, sea grass and salt marsh growth and productivity.

 

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About Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD)

Established in 1996, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is committed to protecting and enhancing air quality, groundwater as well as the biodiversity of our desert and marine ecosystem. By partnering with other government entities, the private sector, NGOs and global environmental agencies, we embrace international best practice, innovation and hard work to institute effective policy measures. We seek to raise environmental awareness, facilitate sustainable development and ensure environmental issues remain one of the top priorities of our national agenda.

For media enquiries, please contact:

EAD Press Office:

Environment Agency- Abu Dhabi

Tel: +9712 693-4637

Mobile:+97150 442-5096 

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.ead.gov.ae

 

TotalEnergies and renewables electricity

As part of its ambition to get to net zero by 2050, TotalEnergies is building a portfolio of activities in electricity and renewables. At the end of 2022, TotalEnergies' gross renewable electricity generation installed capacity was 17 GW. TotalEnergies will continue to expand this business to reach 35 GW of gross production capacity from renewable sources and storage by 2025, and then 100 GW by 2030 with the objective of being among the world's top 5 producers of electricity from wind and solar energy.

About TotalEnergies

TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, cleaner, more reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people.

TotalEnergies Contacts in the Middle East:

Media Relations: +971 54 388 6525

Email: [email protected]

Website : solar-me.totalenergies.com