GEMS Education has entered into the largest renewable energy agreement in the UAE education sector with Positive Zero. The deal includes the design, engineering, installation, and maintenance of solar power systems on rooftops, carports, and bus parking areas at 23 schools in Dubai.

According to Zawya, the solar systems are expected to have a total capacity of nearly 12.7 MWp, generating approximately 21.25 GWh of electricity each year. This annual output is sufficient to power around 2 000 homes. Additionally, the initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions by 14 276 metric tonnes annually, which is comparable to removing 3,300 cars from the roads. Over the project’s lifespan, these emissions reductions would yield environmental benefits equivalent to planting nearly 6 million trees.

Dino Varkey, Group Chief Executive Officer of GEMS Education, stated that the organization is proud to lead sustainability efforts in the UAE’s education sector. He emphasized that this agreement with Positive Zero reinforces GEMS Education’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint while also aligning with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy. By utilizing solar energy, GEMS aims to instill environmental responsibility in its students, who represent the leaders of tomorrow.

The partnership not only supports GEMS Education’s sustainability goals but also aligns with the UAE’s broader efforts to achieve net-zero emissions. Positive Zero will finance the project through long-term leasing, which means GEMS Education will not need to make any upfront investments. David Auriau, Chief Executive Officer of Positive Zero, highlighted the shared commitment to sustainability and the tangible steps GEMS Education is taking to decarbonize its operations.

Harnessing solar energy is a key component of GEMS Education’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy, with initiatives in place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across its schools. Ovais Chhotani, Chief Financial Officer of GEMS Education, noted that this milestone marks the beginning of a broader sustainability journey focused on minimizing environmental impact and promoting a greener future for all. He expressed pride in the organization’s ongoing efforts to drive meaningful change.

GEMS Education has integrated climate literacy into its curriculum, aiming to have a United Nations-accredited Climate Change Teacher in every classroom. The organization encourages student-led sustainability initiatives, energy efficiency projects, and water conservation efforts. Yohaan Cama, Senior Manager – ESG at GEMS Education, remarked that this landmark solar project sets a new standard for sustainability in education and supports the UAE’s clean energy goals.

This agreement builds upon GEMS Education’s previous collaborations with Positive Zero and its distributed generation business, SirajPower, which had earlier provided engineering, procurement, and construction services for a solar project at the GEMS Founders School in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. The completion of the solar power systems at the 23 Dubai schools is anticipated in early 2026.