Globalpharma's rooftop solar cuts emissions and boosts efficiency in UAE manufacturing

Globalpharma has managed to cut roughly 11,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions after installing a rooftop solar system at their manufacturing facility in Dubai Investments Park. This move highlights how industrial companies across the UAE are slowly but surely incorporating clean energy into their day-to-day operations , a trend that’s definitely gaining momentum.

According to their own announcement, the 612 kWp photovoltaic setup is expected to generate around 25.3 GWh of electricity over its lifetime. That’s a pretty hefty chunk of power, and it will help lower reliance on the grid while also boosting energy efficiency at the plant. The project was carried out in partnership with 386 Sky Solar Energy Systems LLC and is now fully operational as part of Dubai’s Shams Dubai programme. This scheme enables businesses to generate electricity on-site and export any surplus energy via a smart bi-directional metering system.

But for Globalpharma, this solar installation isn’t just about sustainability as an isolated effort. The company explained that it’s part of a broader initiative to improve manufacturing performance, manage resources more wisely, and cut down on the environmental impact of pharmaceutical production. Dr Basem Albarahmeh, their CEO, mentioned that this solar project fits within an overall programme of operational improvements and sustainability measures already in motion across the organisation. His point was that they aim to embed more sustainable practices into their core operations as they grow, while also establishing a manufacturing platform that aligns better with industry standards and regulations.

This move also mirrors a wider pattern we’re seeing across the UAE , where industrial and commercial users are increasingly exploring distributed solar solutions to cut costs and emissions at the same time. For factories that consume lots of energy, rooftop solar can be particularly appealing because it makes use of existing roof space, avoids the hassle , and expense , of land acquisition, and can be integrated smoothly into current electricity usage profiles. In this particular case, the solar system was installed at a pharmaceutical site where consistent power demand makes self-generation especially useful.

Globalpharma, which is fully owned by Dubai Investments PJSC, has been around since 1998 and started operating in the UAE from 2003. The company now serves markets across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and selected African countries, with two manufacturing plants and an extensive portfolio of generic medicines. Its Dubai site covers 27,000 square metres, with the capacity to produce 300 million tablets, 150 million capsules, and over 7 million litres of dry and liquid medicines yearly.

This latest step in sustainability arrives amidst broader efforts to improve manufacturing and operational performance. Dubai Investments mentioned in its Q1 2026 update that Globalpharma produced 44.9 million packs during that quarter, transferred technology for 25 new products, and passed a UAE Ministry of Health audit without any major issues. They also highlighted that there were zero batch recalls and no lost-time injuries, which suggests they are pursuing quality, safety, and efficiency alongside their environmental goals.

That holistic approach is especially noteworthy because pharmaceutical manufacturing is notoriously energy- and process-heavy, with strict requirements around quality control, temperature stability, and continuous production. Installing clean energy solutions can do more than just lower emissions. It can help manufacturers manage their long-term utility costs and build resilience , especially when paired with other efficiency measures.

The company added that the solar project was built through a lease-and-operate model, which is becoming increasingly common. This approach allows industrial users to adopt renewable energy without having to pay the full upfront cost. It’s a smart move for many businesses trying to preserve cash flow while still making a step towards greener energy use.

The collaboration with 386 Sky Solar Energy Systems also highlights how specialised developers are playing an expanding role in helping regional companies decarbonise. According to the profiles shared by both sides, 386 Sky Solar operates across rooftop, ground-mounted, and carport solar projects all over the GCC. Globalpharma described the partnership as a way of combining operational optimisation with expertise in deploying industrial-scale renewables.

Ahmad Al Khayyat, chairman of 386 Sky, said the project’s success shows that collaborations like this can really push industries in the direction of cleaner energy use. In his words, it’s the kind of decision that could influence broader sectoral change and support the UAE’s ambitious net-zero goals.

And, honestly, those ambitions are pretty central to why projects like this matter so much. The UAE has committed to a Net Zero 2050 strategy, and decarbonising industry , as important as it is , is considered one of the tougher parts of that transition. Manufacturing companies that can lower emissions without disrupting their output are setting a practical example for others, especially in sectors where reliability and compliance can’t be compromised.

Now, the solar system at Globalpharma might be fairly modest compared to mega-projects, but its significance is more about how it’s put into practice. A 612 kWp rooftop array at a busy production site demonstrates how cleaner energy can seamlessly become part of day-to-day industrial operations , rather than being flagged as a separate sustainability initiative.

For those involved in climate-tech and industrial development across the UAE, that’s a key takeaway. The shift towards greener power isn’t only driven by large national projects , instead, it’s also happening at factory level, on roofs, and across supply chains where emissions can be tracked, monetised, and , increasingly , expected.