Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC), one of the world’s largest catering operations, has commissioned a solar power system across its premises which is expected to deliver an annual reduction of 3 million kg of greenhouse gas emissions.
EKFC said its 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.
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.
Its carbon dioxide emission is expected to decrease by 3 million kilogram annually – the equivalent of the annual electricity use of 518 family homes.
EKFC will also 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. The first products are expected to be delivered to Emirates Flight Catering’s customers in 2020.
EKFC also runs a comprehensive recycling programme and diverts over 270,000 kilograms of material from landfill and ensures the recycling of 130,000 kilograms of cardboard, 4,000 kilograms of paper, 14,000 kilograms of aluminium cans and foil, 120,000 kilograms of glass bottles and 10,000 kilograms of plastic bottles.
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 minimise our impact even as we continue to grow.”
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