Global trade enabler DP World and Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore areas of collaboration on clean energy solutions for DP World’s portfolio of ports and freezones in the Middle East and Africa.

Masdar will work with DP World to address challenges related to the delivery of sustainable, reliable and cost effective power generation, with a particular focus on areas that are remote or off-grid. Masdar will provide specialist project management services, from concept to implementation, including community projects to support DP World’s operations. 

The first collaborative activity will be to review DP World’s operations at the Port of Berbera in Somaliland, focusing on hybrid solar photovoltaic (PV) – diesel plants, water treatment and other technical advisory services for power generation. The agreement will also look at increasing energy efficiency across the company’s ports and terminals in the region. 

DP World Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, said: “We strive to integrate sustainability into everything we do and I believe it is essential to modern business practice. We look forward to this partnership with a world leader in renewable and clean energy that will help reduce our carbon footprint in the region and to develop long term energy solutions for the communities in which we operate. This collaboration is an important step in contributing towards achieving the UAE 2021 vision and implementing the Dubai 2021 plan as well as the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, which is focused on developing the UAE into a knowledge-led economy.”

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said: “We are delighted to be working with DP World to explore the potential for commercially viable renewable energy across its operations in the Middle East and Africa. Masdar has vast experience of delivering projects in off-grid locations around the world, and we fully understand the transformational benefits that access to reliable, cost-effective clean energy can bring to both businesses and local communities. We are excited by the opportunity to realise these benefits through this important new partnership.”

Masdar’s work to bring renewable energy access to remote locations ranges from Pacific island micro-grids and rural solar home systems in Afghanistan and Morocco, to onshore wind in the Republic of Seychelles and off-grid community solar PV projects in Egypt.

Masdar’s activities in the Pacific Islands included 11 highly customised renewable energy projects designed to drive economic growth and sustainable development by increasing energy resilience, bolstering job creation and contributing to renewable energy targets. The projects have replaced the need for approximately 3.2 million litres of imported diesel fuel, saving in excess of $3.7 million per year in fuel costs.

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