The Middle East’s district cooling industry is getting steadily stronger as developers, owners and tenants of buildings in the region increasingly recognise the economic and sustainability benefits of a technology that uses up to 50 per cent less energy than decentralised cooling, Dubai-based Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation chief executive officer Ahmad Bin Shafar says.
“The sector is going from strength to strength, thanks to its competitive characteristics that make it the best alternative to conventional environment-depleting district cooling,” Bin Shafar says in a statement today.
Empower is the world’s largest district cooling services provider.
“The Gulf’s understanding and interest in the efficiencies of District Cooling are stronger than other regions with hot weather that require all-season chilling,” Bin Shafar says. “It is no wonder that this industry is flourishing across the Gulf bringing with it a whole package of sustainability features and cost effectiveness to providers and end-users.”
Empower was founded in 2003 as a joint venture between Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) and TECOM Investments a member of Dubai Holding. It now operates about 1 million refrigeration tons.
According to the latest International District Energy Association (IDEA)’s new report global district energy, the Middle East added 75.5 million square feet to district cooling systems in 2014.