Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad ESCO) has installed 144 photovoltaic (PV) solar panels over the roof of a DEWA Customer Happiness Centre in Hatta.

Etihad ESCO is owned by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), and says that the production capacity of the solar panels is 37.5KW, and will produce about 56,900KWh per year. The firm says this will reduce carbon emissions by 24 tonnes per year, which is equivalent to planting 625 trees.

The move aims to encourage building owners to install PV panels on their rooftops to generate electricity from solar power, and link it to DEWA’s network.

The project is part of the Hatta Comprehensive Development Plan, which was launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The plan includes several important initiatives and projects.

“DEWA is encouraging the use of electric vehicles in Hatta through its Green Charger initiative to install electric-vehicle charging stations to encourage the use of the environmentally-friendly electric vehicles,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

In addition, Etihad ESCO is also designing and installing solar PV systems on the roofs of 640 villas in Hatta. The project is also a part of the Shams Dubai initiative and is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.