Dubai: Dubai Airports has signed an agreement with Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad ESCO), a wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), to launch the final phase of its airport-wide lighting retrofit project, marking a key milestone in its ongoing sustainability agenda and a significant step towards energy-efficient operations at both of Dubai’s airports.
According to Emirates News Agency, this newly signed phase will replace over 180,000 conventional lighting fixtures with energy-saving alternatives across Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC), with Concourse A at DXB being the largest single area covered. Combined with the first phase completed earlier, which covered 150,000 lighting units at DXB, the project will upgrade more than 330,000 lighting units in total, making it one of the most extensive airport lighting retrofit initiatives in the region.
The project is expected to reduce annual energy consumption by 47 million kilowatt-hours (kWh), equivalent to powering over 4,300 homes for an entire year. This initiative will also deliver annual cost savings of more than AED 20 million, contributing to Dubai Airports’ efforts to optimize efficiency while supporting Dubai’s wider environmental targets.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, expressed that the partnership aligns with the UAE’s commitment to climate change resilience and sustainable growth. He emphasized that the collaboration between Dubai Airports and Etihad ESCO is a prime example of collective efforts to promote energy efficiency and reduce emissions in line with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, highlighted the significance of collaboration in achieving sustainability goals. He noted that airports are major energy consumers, and this lighting project is about embedding sustainability into daily operations, setting a benchmark for what a truly sustainable airport can achieve.
Dr. Waleed Alnuaimi, CEO of Etihad Energy Services Company, remarked that this final phase of the lighting retrofit project demonstrates how strategic partnerships and innovative solutions can deliver measurable impact, reaffirming a shared vision of making Dubai a global leader in sustainable development.
Installation work is scheduled to begin later this year and conclude by the second half of 2027. This milestone reflects Dubai Airports’ commitment to decarbonizing operations through practical, high-impact projects and reinforces Dubai’s position as a global hub for sustainable aviation infrastructure.