Dubai: GEMS Education has signed a landmark agreement with decarbonization specialist Positive Zero to implement the largest solar energy project in the UAE’s education sector. The initiative will cover 23 GEMS schools in Dubai, installing solar rooftops, carports, and bus parking areas in a major push toward renewable energy adoption.
The project will introduce solar systems with a combined capacity of nearly 12.7 megawatts peak (MWp), expected to generate 21.25 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually—enough to power approximately 2,000 homes for a year. The environmental benefits are substantial, with an estimated reduction of 14,276 metric tonnes of carbon emissions each year, equivalent to removing 3,300 cars from the road. Over its lifespan, the emissions reduction would equate to planting nearly six million trees.
Commitment to Sustainability and Climate Literacy
Dino Varkey, Group CEO of GEMS Education, underscored the institution’s leadership in sustainability within the education sector.
“GEMS Education is proud to lead the way in terms of sustainability within the UAE’s education sector,” Varkey said. “This landmark agreement with Positive Zero not only reflects our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint but also aligns with our vision of integrating renewable energy at scale.”
Varkey highlighted that this initiative supports the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy while reinforcing the importance of environmental responsibility among students. “We have long emphasized the importance of teaching climate literacy in our schools—and today, through this agreement, we take pride in continuing to put our words into action,” he added.
Positive Zero will finance the solar installations through a long-term leasing model, allowing GEMS Education to implement the project without any upfront investment.
Shared Commitment to Sustainability
David Auriau, CEO of Positive Zero, highlighted the alignment between both organizations’ sustainability goals.
“At the core of our partnership with GEMS Education is a shared commitment to sustainability,” Auriau said. “GEMS Education is taking tangible steps in decarbonizing its operations through our solutions, while also integrating climate literacy across its curricula and student initiatives.”
“This bold and impressive commitment positions GEMS Education as a true leader in sustainability within the UAE’s education sector, and we are proud to be empowering their energy transition,” he added.
Advancing GEMS Education’s ESG Goals
The solar project is a key pillar of GEMS Education’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable practices across its schools and operations.
Ovais Chhotani, CFO of GEMS Education, described the agreement as a significant milestone.
“This milestone is just the beginning of our broader sustainability journey focused on reducing our environmental impact and promoting a greener future for all,” Chhotani said. “It builds on our ongoing initiatives as we continue pushing boundaries to drive meaningful change and create a lasting impact.”
GEMS Education has integrated climate literacy into its curriculum and aims to have a United Nations-accredited Climate Change Teacher in every classroom. The institution has also implemented various student-led and educator-driven sustainability initiatives, including energy efficiency programs, waste management projects, and water conservation efforts.
Yohaan Cama, Senior Manager – ESG at GEMS Education, highlighted the initiative’s role in setting a new benchmark for sustainability in education.
“As the largest school-based solar initiative in the region, this project establishes a new benchmark for sustainability in education,” Cama said. “It reflects GEMS Education’s unwavering commitment to sustainability in line with our ESG vision while supporting the UAE’s Net Zero and Energy Strategy 2050.”
Strengthening Collaboration with Positive Zero
The deal builds on GEMS Education’s existing relationship with Positive Zero’s distributed generation business, SirajPower. SirajPower had previously provided an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for a solar project at GEMS Founders School – Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, a net-zero-energy school.
Laurent Longuet, CEO of SirajPower, praised GEMS Education for its forward-thinking approach to renewable energy.
“Renewable energy will power the industries of the future,” Longuet said. “We must commend GEMS Education for committing to a more sustainable agenda for their schools and paving the way for the next generation of students and teachers to witness firsthand how distributed solar power can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
“This initiative will not only instill a sense of responsibility but also pride in everyone who studies or works in a school that cares about them and the environment,” he added.
With the agreement now finalized, the selected 23 schools are set to move toward commissioning and completion. The entire project is expected to be fully operational by early 2026.
