Emerge, the joint venture between Masdar and EDF, has signed a 20-year solar power agreement with Misk City to develop a 621-kilowatt peak (kWp) rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) plant.
The project, which will be installed atop carport structures and other key assets within the pioneering development in northwest Riyadh, is expected to offset more than 600 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
The move supports Misk City’s bid for LEED and ParkSmart sustainability certifications and aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals of creating knowledge-based, environmentally responsible communities.
The agreement was formalised during a ceremony at Misk City in Riyadh, attended by senior officials including David Henry, CEO of Misk City; Omar AlDaweesh, Emerge board member; Michel Abi Saab, General Manager of Emerge; and French Embassy representatives.
Under the terms of the deal, Emerge will deliver a full turnkey solution covering the financing, design, construction, and long-term operation and maintenance of the solar plant.
The company, established in 2021, has been expanding its portfolio of clean energy solutions across the region, targeting commercial and industrial sectors with zero upfront cost models.
“Misk City has always been envisioned as a forward-looking, sustainable urban community,” said David Henry, CEO of Misk City. “Integrating clean energy into our infrastructure is a natural extension of that vision. This project reinforces our commitment to building a city that thrives in harmony with its environment.”
Omar AlDaweesh, Emerge board member and CEO for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain at EDF Group, said the deal underlined the growing momentum for clean energy adoption in the Kingdom. “Emerge is proud to be contributing to a new urban narrative, one where innovation and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.”
Misk City, the world’s first nonprofit urban development of its kind, aims to serve as a regional hub for education, innovation, and cultural development. Conceived as a “green city of the future,” it integrates walkable communities, smart mobility, and renewable energy systems to foster a human-centric urban experience.
Ali Alshimmari, Emerge board member and Director of Strategic & Special Projects at Masdar, highlighted the project as a “customised clean energy solution” that draws on global expertise. “By leveraging the strengths of Masdar and EDF, we ensure world-class quality and innovation at every stage of delivery.”
Emerge’s business model focuses on enabling clients—ranging from SMEs to large corporates—to adopt solar PV and battery storage without capital expenditure, thereby cutting carbon footprints while reducing energy costs.
