Dubai Police takes solar power to 28 sites in drive to cut carbon emissions

Dubai Police has completed the first phase of a long-term solar energy program covering 28 of its buildings and facilities, a move expected to cut carbon emissions from its premises by about 26,000 tons a year.

The reduction accounts for roughly 20% of the carbon emissions generated by Dubai Police buildings, according to the organization.

How much carbon will Dubai Police's solar program cut?

Dubai Police's solar program is expected to cut carbon emissions from its 28 covered sites by about 26,000 tons annually, equivalent to roughly one-fifth of all emissions generated by its buildings.

The organization says the initiative also aims to reduce energy consumption and expand renewable power use across its facilities more broadly.

When did Dubai Police's solar energy program start?

The program was launched at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai in 2023 and is being implemented under a 25-year plan to progressively introduce solar energy systems across police buildings and facilities. The first phase included police stations, general departments and other facilities.

Rather than applying a standard approach to all locations, Dubai Police said the program accounts for the age, design and operational requirements of individual buildings when determining how renewable energy and efficiency measures are incorporated. Engineer Maryam Rashid Bonfour, director of the Energy Efficiency Projects Portfolio at the Environment, Health and Safety Department of the General Department of Logistics Support, said the initiative was designed as a broader effort to improve the environmental and operational efficiency of police facilities.

What does Dubai Police's solar program involve beyond installation?

"The project goes beyond the installation of solar energy systems," Bonfour said, adding that it also aims to optimize resource use, lower carbon emissions and accelerate the development of greener, more energy-efficient buildings. She said the first phase had prepared the 28 sites to deliver an estimated annual reduction of 26,000 tons of carbon emissions.

The program forms part of broader UAE and Dubai efforts to expand clean energy, reduce carbon emissions and promote more sustainable buildings, while also supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Bonfour said the 25-year program would be implemented in stages to account for the different characteristics and operational needs of police facilities. "The project extends over 25 years and is being implemented through carefully planned phases that take into consideration the nature, age, design and operational requirements of police buildings," she said.

What comes next for Dubai Police's solar rollout?

The strategy covers both existing facilities and new buildings, with sustainability measures incorporated according to the requirements of each project. Bonfour said the phased approach was intended to ensure environmental upgrades remained effective and economically viable over the long term without disrupting police services or daily operations.

Dubai Police plans to launch the second phase in the final quarter of 2026, expanding solar energy and related solutions to additional buildings and facilities.

The program supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the emirate's broader efforts to reduce carbon emissions, with Dubai targeting a 50% increase in carbon-emission reductions by 2030. The initiative is also part of Dubai Police's wider sustainability efforts.

The organization has previously said it became the first police force in the world to officially join the United Nations Global Compact, committing to its principles covering human rights, labor standards, environmental responsibility and anti-corruption.