ADNOC Distribution has teamed up with Emerge to utilize solar energy for powering its stations in Abu Dhabi

ADNOC Distribution has announced the commencement of the second phase of its solarisation initiative in partnership with Emerge, a joint venture between Masdar and the EDF Group. This phase involves Emerge financing, designing, installing, and maintaining solar photovoltaic (PV) panels at ADNOC Distribution’s service stations throughout the UAE network.

The project is set to advance ADNOC Distribution’s sustainability objectives by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on non-renewable energy sources. It also aims to enhance operational efficiency by reducing energy costs and optimizing the energy mix at service stations, aligning with the company’s goal to cut operational carbon intensity by 25% by 2030.

ADNOC Distribution’s solarisation programme is part of its innovative approach to sustainable financing, underscoring the company’s dedication to integrating sustainability across its operations. In January 2023, ADNOC Distribution became the first UAE fuel and convenience retailer to convert a $1.5 billion term loan into a sustainability-linked facility, introducing financial incentives and penalties in line with hitting sustainability targets such as solarization.

Bader Saeed Al Lamki, CEO of ADNOC Distribution, highlighted the collaboration with Emerge as a continuation of the successful solarisation of the Dubai network, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainability and broader net-zero objectives of ADNOC Group and the UAE. Michel Abi Saab, General Manager of Emerge, remarked on the success of the first phase and the expansion into over 100 stations in the second phase, aimed at reducing carbon emissions and supporting the UAE’s sustainability ambitions.

In the initial phase, Emerge installed solar panels at 28 ADNOC Distribution stations in Dubai. By the end of 2024, the collaboration had produced over 6,300 MWh of electricity, cutting CO₂ emissions by more than 2,900 tonnes.

In Phase 2, the installation of solar panels at over 100 service stations in Abu Dhabi is expected to produce nearly 30,000 MWh of renewable energy annually. This output is sufficient to power nearly one billion smartphones and prevent over 13,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year, which is comparable to the carbon absorbed by approximately 250,000 tree seedlings over ten years.