Higher Colleges of Technology Launches Strategic Solar Energy Project to Advance Sustainability
In a strategic step reflecting its commitment to advancing sustainability, aligned with the UAE’s national priorities in sustainability and clean energy, the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), the largest higher education institution in the UAE, has signed a Solar Energy Agreement with Three Eight Six, an Independent Power Producer, to implement solar energy projects across its campuses in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Al Ain.
Under this strategic collaboration, approximately 7,000 solar modules will be installed across six campuses to generate clean and efficient electricity for daily campus operations. The project is expected to cover around 16–17% of total electricity demand, reduce grid dependency, lower energy costs, and cutting approximately 90,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) over its lifetime — an environmental benefit equivalent to taking around 21,000 cars off the road for a year, or to the carbon that would be sequestered by approximately 1.5 million trees.
Once completed, the system will have a total peak capacity of 4.3 MW and is expected to generate nearly 8 GWh of clean energy annually. The first phase, comprising 2.3 MW, was energized in April 2026 and is already offsetting more than 4 GWh of energy consumption on an annualized basis. The remaining 2 MW of capacity is scheduled for completion in Q4 2026.
In this context, Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Vice President of Shared Services at HCT, said:"This project represents a strategic step that reinforces HCT’s commitment to adopting sustainable solutions that enhance resource efficiency and reduce environmental impact. By integrating solar energy across several campuses, HCT is supporting the transition to clean energy while enhancing the efficiency of its operational infrastructure. This initiative aligns with the UAE’s sustainability priorities, particularly the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, and highlights the role of educational institutions in preparing national talent capable of supporting and advancing these objectives."
Ahmad Al Khayyat, Chairman of Three Eight Six, added:"This project reflects the implementation of an integrated solar energy solutions model, encompassing design, execution, operation, and maintenance in line with the highest performance and sustainability standards. Through this partnership, we are supporting HCT’s ongoing efforts to enhance energy
efficiency, reduce grid dependency, and ensure long-term supply stability. The project also enables the effective integration of renewable energy technologies into existing infrastructure, in line with best practices in energy management and the UAE’s transition toward a more sustainable energy system."
The project will be delivered through a fully integrated model covering financing, design, construction, operation, and maintenance. Three Eight Six will be responsible for installing and managing the systems over the long term to ensure stable and efficient energy generation, with seamless integration into campus operations. The partnership with Three Eight Six further reflects HCT’s commitment to supporting UAE-based expertise and contributing to the growth of the national clean energy economy. By working with a renewable energy partner headquartered in the UAE, HCT is helping advance private-sector participation in the country’s energy transition while delivering long-term sustainability benefits across its campuses.
Beyond reducing energy costs and emissions, the project strengthens HCT’s operational sustainability by embedding renewable energy solutions within its infrastructure. It also delivers added educational value by providing students with practical exposure to clean energy technologies, supporting academic programs in engineering and innovation. At the same time, the project establishes a scalable framework for the future expansion of renewable energy initiatives, reinforcing HCT’s position as a leading institution in this field.
The initiative is aligned with the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 and the UAE Green Agenda 2030, underscoring HCT’s role in supporting national sustainability priorities.
Equivalencies calculated using the U.S. EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies methodology (0.060 t CO₂ per tree seedling grown for 10 years; 4.29 t CO₂ per passenger vehicle per year). The project avoids electricity-sector emissions and does not directly sequester carbon.
