Energy Efficiency

In 2024, Salik’s total electricity consumption increased by 10.1% to 1,089.89 MWh due to the growth in the Company’s operations. The increase was primarily driven by data centres, while the largest consumer—toll gates—saw demand grow by only 5.0%. This was achieved despite the addition of two new gantries, thanks to their higher energy efficiency. The increase in employee count contributed to the rise in electricity consumption and the associated GHG emissions in office spaces. However, due to the Company’s energy efficiency actions, the energy intensity of Salik’s operations remained effectively at the previous level of 0.48 kWh per AED 1,000 of revenue (2023: 0.47).

Salik’s Jebel Ali toll gate served as a pilot project, incorporating solar energy to meet 19.1% of its power needs. The two new toll gates, at Business Bay and Al Safa are conceptualized and designed to use solar power to meet at least 90% of their total energy needs. Although the new toll gates began operating in November 2024, they remained in a testing phase through year‑end, so solar generation data from that period are excluded. Salik is currently assessing the feasibility of converting all existing toll gates to solar power and will evaluate the project’s technical viability.

The Company’s office at Festival Tower is in the perusing stage for a LEED Gold‑certified building. It is designed with sustainable materials and optimised for natural light. Equipped with cutting‑edge technology, the office features motion‑sensor lighting, energy‑efficient HVAC systems, 5‑star energy‑rated appliances and biometric security features. Implementing biometric security optimises associated energy consumption by replacing conventional access card systems.

In 2024, the Company introduced a new environmental initiative: switching off office lights from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM during summer months (July and August) to reduce its carbon footprint and promote energy conservation in the workplace. In 2025, Salik will implement scheduling and continuous monitoring of electricity usage at the headquarters.

Aiming to establish an IT infrastructure aligned with ESG principles, Salik has prioritised efficient and sustainable components for its data centres. Dell servers, APC UPS, Cisco firewalls, switches, Lenovo T14 laptops, and LG TVs were selected for their strong performance, energy efficiency, and low carbon footprint, as well as the manufacturers’ circular economy approach.

As part of its commitment to energy efficiency, Salik not only optimises its internal operations but also promotes sustainable practices externally. To encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, Salik continued to exempt owners from paying the tag activation fee. As of 31 December 2024, the number of EVs with free tags from Salik increased by 27.9% compared to 2023.