Largest solar power deal in the UAE education sector inked by GEMS Education

GEMS Education and Positive Zero Sign Largest Renewable Energy Deal in UAE Education Sector

In a significant move towards sustainability, GEMS Education and Positive Zero have announced the largest renewable energy deal in the UAE education sector to date. The agreement covers the design, engineering, installation, and maintenance of solar rooftops, carports, and bus parking across 23 GEMS schools in Dubai.

The newly installed solar systems will collectively have a capacity of 12.7 MWp and generate 21.25 GWh of electricity annually. This annual electricity production is enough to power 2,000 homes for a full year.

The Chief Financial Officer of GEMS Education, Ovais Chhotani, stated that GEMS Education has a robust mandate towards sustainability. Yohaan Cama, Senior Manager - ESG at GEMS Education, mentioned that this latest agreement builds on GEMS' collaboration with Positive Zero and its distributed generation business, SirajPower.

The initiative is projected to mitigate 14,276 metric tonnes of carbon emissions per year. This carbon emission reduction is equivalent to taking 3,300 cars off the road. Over the project's lifespan, this reduction would equate to the environmental benefits of cultivating nearly 6 million trees.

Climate literacy is embedded in GEMS Education's curriculum. The organisation's mission is to have a United Nations-accredited Climate Change Teacher in every classroom. Longstanding sustainability initiatives at GEMS Education include student-led and educator-led programs, as well as student-led COP-style events, debates, energy efficiency programs, waste management initiatives, and water conservation initiatives.

Laurent Longuet, Chief Executive Officer of Positive Zero's Distributed Generation arm (SirajPower), made this statement, "We are proud to partner with GEMS Education to drive sustainability at a corporate level, in classrooms, and in the wider community."

Previously, SirajPower provided GEMS with an EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) contract for a solar project at the net-zero-energy GEMS Founders School in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. The partnership aligns with the UAE's Net Zero 2050 Strategy, driving the nation's transition towards net-zero emissions.

Positive Zero will provide financing through long-term leasing, with no upfront investment required from GEMS Education. Each of the 23 schools chosen in Dubai for this latest renewable energy initiative is expected to complete commissioning by early 2026.

With this deal, GEMS Education continues to drive sustainability at a corporate level, in classrooms, and in the wider community. The organisation with the largest solar energy purchase agreement in the UAE education sector with Positive Zero is GEMS Education, involving the installation of solar systems at 23 of its schools. However, the specific 23 schools of GEMS Education where the solar systems are installed are not listed in the available search results.