Emirates Aluminium signs deal to use solar energy for production

State utility Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa) has agreed to supply Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) with 560,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of solar power yearly from the Mohammed bin Rashid (MBR) solar park, making Dubai the first country in the world to produce aluminium using solar energy. EGA will supply solar-produced aluminium to customers under the new product name CelestiAL

State utility Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa) has agreed to supply Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) with 560,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of solar power yearly from the Mohammed bin Rashid (MBR) solar park, making Dubai the first country in the world to produce aluminium using solar energy.

The 560,000 MWh of solar power will produce 40,000 tonnes of aluminium in the first year, with the potential for expansion in the future. EGA will supply solar-produced aluminium to customers under the new product name CelestiAL.

 “This global achievement of both DEWA and EGA confirms our firm commitment to achieving the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in building a green economy in UAE, and reaching the goals of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 in diversifying energy sources and providing 75% of Dubai's energy production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050,” said Saeed Mohammed al-Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dewa and vice chairman of EGA.

 “The new achievement contributes to supporting our efforts in reducing carbon emissions through the Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy. Dubai reduced 22 per cent in carbon emissions in 2019 compared to business as usual. Results achieved exceeded the targets set in the Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy, which aims to reduce carbon emissions by 16 per cent by 2021”.

The sourcing of solar power for aluminium production will be tracked and traced through the use of the International Renewable Energy Certification system.