MANAMA: Majid Al Futtaim has signed an agreement with Yellow Door Energy to set up the country’s largest private solar plant at The Bahrain Mall.

The 6.2 megawatt-peak solar power purchase agreement (PPA) will bring clean energy to the shopping mall, which is operated by Carrefour Bahrain.

Spanning over 40,000sqm, the rooftop solar plant is expected to generate 10 million kilowatt-hours of clean energy in its first year of operation, equivalent to reducing carbon emissions by 6,300 tonnes.

Over 11,600 solar panels will be installed to meet 50 per cent of the mall’s energy consumption needs.

As Carrefour Bahrain leads the solar plant project for the next 20 years, Yellow Door Energy will also invest and support the project by building, designing and maintaining the solar plant.

The agreement is part of the full renovation and expansion plan at The Bahrain Mall, which will be completed by 2022, and reflects the commitment to bring to the mall the latest in innovation and customer experience.

The agreement was signed during a virtual ceremony held under the patronage of Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA) president Dr Abdulhussain Mirza.

It was attended by Mahmood Al Aradi, chief investment officer of the Economic Development Board (EDB), Ibrahim Al Zu’bi, chief sustainability officer at Majid Al Futtaim Holding, and representatives from the SEA, the Supreme Council for the Environment (SCE), the EDB, Majid Al Futtaim, Carrefour Bahrain, and Yellow Door Energy.

Dr Mirza said the agreement comes as a result of the cooperative efforts between the authority and the private sector.

“This project constitutes an important shift in the provision of energy to major commercial projects, as this is one of the largest private sector projects to install solar energy systems on a commercial building to-date,” he added.

Dr Mirza stressed that Majid Al Futtaim’s keenness to benefit from renewable energy and lower their overall carbon footprint, as well as the inclusion of the concepts of sustainable energy and environmental conservation in their development plans and strategies, reflect the company’s interest to activate their role in supporting the kingdom’s efforts towards the sustainable energy transition.

Hani Weiss, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Retail, said: “Bahrain has made clear its sustainable vision for the future, with the Vision 2030 setting a national renewable energy target of 5pc by 2025 and 10pc by 2035. These ambitions require the support of the private sector, and that’s why Majid Al Futtaim and Yellow Door Energy have partnered to bring clean energy to The Bahrain Mall. We hope these acts will serve as an inspiration for more companies to follow the same example and join the contribution towards a more sustainable future.”

Jerome Akel, country manager of Carrefour Bahrain at Majid Al Futtaim Retail, said: “This momentous solar power purchase agreement with Yellow Door Energy enables us to save cost, reduce carbon emissions and take a step closer to our net positive strategy. This will not only help us take forward the company’s vision of creating ‘great moments for everyone, everyday’ but it will also allow us to translate the savings and environmental benefits into memorable experiences for all visitors at The Bahrain Mall every year.”

Rory McCarthy, chief commercial officer of Yellow Door Energy, said: “This is Yellow Door Energy’s first project in Bahrain, and we’re honoured to continue our partnership with Majid Al Futtaim and Carrefour across the region. As the leading solar developer with 120 megawatts of solar assets in the Middle East and Pakistan, Yellow Door Energy looks forward to commissioning the solar plant and to bringing affordable and clean energy to more leading businesses in Bahrain that is in line with the kingdom’s National Renewable Energy Action Plan.”

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