GEMS Education signs UAE's largest school-based solar energy agreement
GEMS Education has announced a landmark renewable energy agreement with decarbonisation provider Positive Zero, marking the largest solar power initiative in the UAE education sector to date.
The deal covers the design, engineering, installation, and maintenance of solar energy systems across 23 GEMS schools in Dubai.
GEMS leads sustainability drive
The extensive solar project will include rooftop, carport, and bus parking installations, collectively delivering a capacity of nearly 12.7 MWp. The system is expected to generate 21.25 GWh of electricity annually – equivalent to powering 2,000 homes per year.
The initiative aligns with the UAE's Net Zero 2050 Strategy and will significantly reduce the educational institutions' carbon footprint. Projections indicate that the project will mitigate 14,276 metric tonnes of carbon emissions annually, which is comparable to removing 3,300 cars from the roads or cultivating nearly six million trees over the system's lifespan.
Dino Varkey, Group Chief Executive Officer of GEMS said, 'This landmark agreement with Positive Zero not only underscores our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint but also aligns with our vision of integrating renewable energy at scale. By harnessing solar power, we are contributing to the UAE's Net Zero 2050 Strategy while also instilling a sense of environmental responsibility in our students.'
As part of the agreement, Positive Zero will provide financing through long-term leasing, ensuring no upfront investment is required from GEMS Education. David Auriau, Chief Executive Officer of Positive Zero said, 'This bold and impressive commitment positions GEMS Education as a true leader in sustainability within the UAE's education sector, and we are proud to be empowering their energy transition.'
The project also plays a crucial role in GEMS Education's broader ESG and sustainability strategy. According to Ovais Chhotani, Chief Financial Officer of GEMS Education, 'This milestone is just the beginning of our broader sustainability journey focused on reducing our environmental impact and promoting a greener future for all.'
The school operator has embedded climate literacy into its curriculum, with initiatives including the accreditation of United Nations Climate Change Teachers in classrooms, student-led COP-style events, and sustainability-focused academic programs.
Yohaan Cama, Senior Manager – ESG at GEMS Education, described the agreement as 'a new benchmark for sustainability in education,' reinforcing the UAE's clean energy transition goals. Laurent Longuet, CEO of Positive Zero's distributed generation business, SirajPower, added, 'We must commend GEMS Education on committing to a more sustainable agenda for their schools and paving the way for the next generation to witness first-hand how distributed solar power can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.'
The solar installations at the selected 23 Dubai schools are set to be commissioned and completed by early 2026, furthering GEMS Education's mission to lead sustainability efforts in the UAE education sector.
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