General Motors Powers Dubai Facility with Solar Energy

General Motors (GM) has equipped its Middle East Distribution Center (MEDC) in Dubai with a solar-powered rooftop, aimed at reducing the facility’s carbon footprint by 35 percent.

This initiative is part of GM’s renewable energy strategy and involves a connected load of 461.45 kWp, which will help cut 512 metric tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

Announced in 2022, the rooftop solar project at MEDC is now fully operational, marking a key milestone in GM’s regional sustainability journey. This initiative aligns with GM’s global goals, including achieving carbon neutrality across products and operations by 2040. By advancing renewable energy solutions, GM is reducing thousands of metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually and promoting cleaner energy practices in the Middle East automotive sector.

Jack Uppal, President and Managing Director of GM Africa & Middle East, highlighted sustainability as central to their operations. “This initiative reflects our vision for a cleaner, safer planet. By leveraging solar energy, we are working towards reducing our operational energy intensity by 35 percent by 2035 and achieving zero tailpipe emissions for new light-duty vehicles by 2035,” he said.

GM has been in the region for almost 100 years, with its Africa & Middle East operations headquartered in Dubai, UAE, and a manufacturing plant in Egypt. The company’s efforts contribute to the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, through collaborations with the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) and Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza).

Sajed Sbeih, Director of Customer Care & Aftersales at GM Africa & Middle East, also noted the implementation of additional green initiatives at the MEDC facility. “We operate as a landfill-free site, reuse 85 percent of vehicles, recycle 100 percent of returned EV batteries, and remanufacture thousands of vehicle assemblies annually, all of which support the UAE’s sustainability efforts,” Sbeih added.

With a network of 17 distributors in 29 countries, GM is driving its sustainability vision globally, focusing on zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion.