Emaar Development has named ALEC Energy to build a private solar plant for the Dubai Hills Mall project.

ALEC Energy has been picked to provide the 6.5 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar power plant for the under-construction retail project.

Dubai Hills Mall's solar power facility will have 24,000 solar panels on the mall's roof, and is expected to generate 10.5m kwh/units of electrical energy in a year.

As a result, the project will record an offset of 4.62m kg of carbon dioxide each year. This is the equivalent of offsetting the annual CO2 emissions of 1,673 passenger vehicles in a year.

The company will provide system design, local approval, and construction services for the plant, which will be built and commissioned in line with Dubai Hills Mall's programme.

Upon the mall's opening the solar plant will be ready to operate.

Commenting on the contract, James Stewart, general manager of ALEC Energy, said: "We are very excited to collaborate with Emaar Development on this exciting solar project.

"Solar Energy is a smart choice and has many environmental and financial benefits especially in large malls which are large consumers of power.

"This decision will also assist the UAE in meeting its 2030 renewable energy targets."

Dubai Hills Mall will offer 18.58ha of leasable space across its ground and first floors, including more than 700 retail, and food and beverage (F&B) outlets.