Hatta mosque becomes world’s first LEED zero carbon place of worship
Al Rayyan Mosque stands as a model for net zero religious architecture
DUBAI – Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced another global milestone as Al Rayyan Mosque in Hatta became the world’s first place of worship to receive the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Zero Carbon certification from the US Green Buildings Council.
By offsetting 175% of its yearly carbon emissions, the mosque has surpassed global standards, contributing actively to environmental restoration and setting a benchmark for sustainable architecture worldwide.
This latest achievement represents the mosque’s third world record in environmental excellence. It previously made history in 2021 as the first mosque globally to secure the LEED Platinum certification under LEED v4, earning an exceptional 83 points for sustainable design. In 2024, it achieved the LEED Zero Energy certification, producing 150% of its energy needs through high-efficiency solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and supplying the surplus back to the grid.
What makes it unique?
The mosque’s PV panels, with a total capacity of 158kWp, are equipped with a cloud-based monitoring system ensuring optimum efficiency. The 2025 LEED Zero Carbon certification not only underscores DEWA’s technological innovation but also illustrates how places of worship can serve as beacons of climate-positive design.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, said this global recognition reinforces the organisation’s role in promoting sustainable construction and advancing both Dubai’s and the UAE’s net zero 2050 vision. “Under the wise directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, we work towards a greener future,” said Al Tayer.
He added that Al Rayyan Mosque exemplifies DEWA’s commitment to sustainable urban development, contributing to Dubai’s leadership in renewable energy and efficient building design.
How does it support Dubai’s vision?
The achievement aligns with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and Hatta’s comprehensive development framework. DEWA’s sustainable building initiatives aim to balance economic, social and environmental growth while promoting the use of clean and renewable energy.
“DEWA is among the first organisations in Dubai to adopt green building concepts,” Al Tayer noted. “We currently operate ten LEED-certified green buildings and are expanding efforts to ensure all new facilities adhere to international environmental standards, improving energy and water efficiency and overall quality of life.”
What features stand out?
Built to international standards, Al Rayyan Mosque demonstrates outstanding environmental design. It prevents leakage of air, water and heat through high-performance insulation and heatproof glass, reducing energy consumption. Its facade design minimises cooling demand, while daylight-optimised interiors lower the need for artificial lighting. Roofing and other materials were selected based on the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) to counter the heat island effect, and all water heaters operate on solar energy.
Spanning 1,050 square metres and accommodating over 600 worshippers, the mosque includes a 25-metre minaret, car and bicycle parking, facilities for People of Determination, a green charger station, solar panels and a water treatment unit used for cleaning and irrigation.
Where innovation meets faith
DEWA applied global best practices to enhance indoor air quality through advanced purification systems and the use of recycled construction materials. Al Rayyan Mosque stands as an enduring symbol of how faith, sustainability and innovation can merge – setting a precedent for future generations of green religious architecture worldwide.