Emirates Flight Catering invests in solar energy

Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC), one of the world’s largest catering operations, has successfully commissioned a state-of-the-art solar power system across its premises, which is expected to deliver an annual reduction of 3 million kg of greenhouse gas emissions. This is part of EKFC’s continued investment in infrastructure to improve resource efficiency.
EKFC’s latest initiative supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which was launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, in 2015. Under the strategy, the emirate aims to produce 75 percent of its energy requirements from clean sources by 2050.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said: “Sustainability is an important pillar of the Emirates Group strategy. We are committed to responsible business and environmental stewardship, and we apply eco-efficient technologies across our operations to minimize our impact even as we continue to grow. Emirates Flight
Catering’s latest initiatives open new opportunities to improve resource efficiency, underpinning Dubai’s strategy to become a global center of clean energy and green economy.”
Saeed Mohammed, chief executive of Emirates Flight Catering, said: “We are excited to announce another significant, long-term investment in our sustainable operations. Our state-of-the-art solar power plant helps us further optimize resources and enhance environmental efficiency, which will benefit all of our stakeholders, including our customers, employees and the communities around us. In line with our appetite for perfection, we stay committed to providing the best possible quality products and services to our customers using sustainable and innovative solutions.”
EKFC’s solar rooftop power plant comprises 8,112 individual solar panels. It is expected to generate 4,195 megawatt-hours of electricity annually, allowing the company to reduce traditional energy consumption by 15 percent across its laundry, food manufacturing and staff accommodation facilities. Consequently, EKFC’s carbon dioxide emission will decrease by 3 million kilogram annually — the equivalent of the annual electricity use of 518 family homes.
EKFC will shortly start constructing the world’s largest vertical farming facility in a joint venture with US-based Crop One. The 130,000 square foot controlled environment facility will produce 2,700 kilogram of high quality, herbicide- and pesticide-free leafy greens daily, using 99 percent less water than outdoor fields.