Dubai, UAE – GEMS Education has signed the largest renewable energy deal in the UAE’s education sector with Positive Zero, marking a significant milestone in the country’s sustainability efforts. The agreement includes the design, engineering, installation, and maintenance of solar rooftops, carports, and bus parking across 23 GEMS schools in Dubai.
Key Highlights of the Deal
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Capacity: The solar installations will generate a total capacity of 12.7 MWp.
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Energy Output: The systems will produce 21.25 GWh of electricity annually—enough to power 2,000 homes for a full year.
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Environmental Impact: The initiative will reduce 14,276 metric tonnes of carbon emissions per year, equivalent to removing 3,300 cars from the road.
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Long-term Benefits: Over the project’s lifespan, the emissions reduction will match the environmental benefits of planting nearly six million trees.
Commitment to Sustainability
Dino Varkey, Group Chief Executive Officer of GEMS Education, emphasized the significance of the deal:
“GEMS Education is proud to lead the way in sustainability within the UAE’s education sector. This landmark agreement with Positive Zero underscores our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint while aligning with our vision of integrating renewable energy at scale.”
The agreement directly supports the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy, reflecting GEMS Education’s active role in advancing the country’s sustainability goals.
Industry Collaboration for a Greener Future
David Auriau, Chief Executive Officer of Positive Zero, highlighted the partnership’s impact:
“At the core of our collaboration with GEMS Education is a shared commitment to sustainability. Through this agreement, GEMS is decarbonizing its operations and fostering climate literacy across its schools.”
Educational and Corporate Sustainability Efforts
Beyond infrastructure improvements, GEMS Education integrates sustainability into its educational framework, including:
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Climate Literacy: Ensuring every classroom has a UN-accredited Climate Change Teacher.
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Student Engagement: Organizing COP-style student-led events, debates, and initiatives in energy efficiency, waste management, and water conservation.
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Corporate Sustainability: Implementing ESG-driven strategies to reduce environmental impact across all GEMS schools.
Project Timeline and Expansion
Each of the 23 schools selected for this initiative will progress towards commissioning and completion by early 2026. This builds on GEMS’ previous collaboration with Positive Zero’s distributed generation business, SirajPower, which implemented a solar project at GEMS Founders School – Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, a net-zero-energy institution.
A Step Towards a Sustainable Future
Ovais Chhotani, Chief Financial Officer of GEMS Education, reinforced the broader impact of the initiative:
“This milestone marks the beginning of a larger sustainability journey. Our focus is on driving meaningful change and creating a lasting impact within the education sector and beyond.”
With this agreement, GEMS Education is setting a precedent for sustainable practices within the UAE’s education sector, leading the way toward a greener future.
