ALEC Energy has won the contract to provide a solar photovoltaic solution for Dubai Electricity and Water Authorities’ new headquarters based in the Al Jaddaf area of Dubai.

Speaking on behalf of ALEC Energy, James Stewart, general manager said: “Winning this project has been a great endorsement of ALEC Energy’s ability to provide the most innovative, cost-effective solution that not only meets, but exceeds the ambitious net zero targets set by DEWA. In delivering a solution that illustrates DEWA’s commitment to utilising clean energy we are also supporting the government’s high-level targets of reaching a 50% clean energy supply within the next thirty years.”

In order to maximise the solution’s full potential, ALEC Energy provided a multi-tiered solution which includes the delivery of 21,139m² of building attached photovoltaic (BAPV) panels on the roof, 1,021m² of building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) panels in the façade and 1,923m² of podium fins as well as fibre optic collectors, shaded structure PV and solar trees, which collectively will generate 4.8 MWp upon completion, helping to ensure the new headquarters will reach its net zero targets within under a decade.

Working alongside other stakeholders including main contractor, Ghantoot Transport & General Contracting LLC and consultant, ATKINS, ALEC Energy are designing customised, walkable solar panels with a high transparency feature that matches the striking architectural design of the building.  DEWA states that the building will be the “tallest, largest, and smartest government zero energy building in the world.”

“The most energy efficient solar cells currently available worldwide are used for this project. Accredited laboratories will conduct numerous sophisticated performance tests, quality controls and rigorous durability tests prior to the manufacturing of the the PV panels.  This project and the integrated solar design truly pushes the boundaries of solar power further,” Stewart remarked.

Named ‘Al Shera’a’, the Arabic word for ‘sail’, the built-up-area of the building will cover more than two million square feet over 15 floors, plus basement, plus four stories of parking with the capacity to host more than 5,000 people at any given time. Designed to be a Platinum-rated LEED building, Al Shera’a will consume less energy than it generates, hailing in a new era of government buildings.

Speaking on behalf of DEWA when the project was initially awarded, H.E Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO, said, “We work to achieve the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai a global center for clean energy and green economy. By building Al-Shera’a, we establish a global benchmark for buildings that achieve a balance between development and the environment, to protect the right of future generations to live in a clean, healthy and safe environment. This supports the UAE Vision 2021 to make the UAE one of the best countries in the world, and the Dubai Plan 2021, to make Dubai the preferred place to live, work, and visit.”