Dubai Airports, in partnership with Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad ESCO), has entered the final phase of a landmark lighting retrofit project across Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC) airports.

The initiative aims to replace more than 180,000 light fixtures with high-efficiency alternatives, with completion expected by the second half of 2027.

This latest milestone will bring the total number of upgraded lighting units to over 330,000, making it one of the most extensive airport lighting retrofit projects in the region.

The result is not only a significantly brighter and more energy-efficient environment but also a major contribution to Dubai Airports’ long-term sustainability goals.

According to Dubai Airports, the retrofit will deliver annual energy savings of 47 million kilowatt-hours—enough to power thousands of homes each year—while reducing operational costs by more than AED 20 million.

“What excites us most,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports on a social media post, “is the power of collaboration. Working alongside Etihad ESCO and the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) demonstrates how shared vision and technical expertise can drive real progress. Every operational decision, no matter how technical, is a chance to embed sustainability into our core.”

The initiative underscores Dubai Airports’ commitment to embedding sustainability into its daily operations in practical, visible, and lasting ways, aligning with broader UAE climate and energy goals.

With the retrofit nearing its final stages, DXB and DWC continue to serve as leading examples of how infrastructure can evolve toward a cleaner, more energy-resilient future.