Environment

His Excellency Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation PJSC (Empower), the world’s largest district cooling services provider, recently participated as a keynote speaker at the International District Energy Association (IDEA) Conference 2024 in Orlando, USA. The event, themed "District Energy for Sustainable Cities," gathered prominent leaders and decision-makers from the global energy sector.

During the panel discussion, Bin Shafar emphasized the critical role of district cooling in achieving sustainable and economic development. He called for global legislation to support the adoption of district cooling systems, highlighting their efficiency in reducing energy consumption in the cooling sector and their importance in accelerating the transition to a low-carbon future.

Sustainable Development and District Cooling

Addressing an audience of industry leaders and investors, Bin Shafar explained how district cooling has become integral to sustainable energy systems, particularly for large-scale and high-density projects such as business districts, airports, universities, residential towers, and commercial establishments. He stressed the necessity of favorable government policies and local power provider support for the effective deployment of district cooling systems.

Dubai's Ambitious Goals

Bin Shafar noted that the Dubai government aims to achieve a 40% penetration of environmentally friendly district cooling systems by 2030, given that approximately 70% of the energy used in buildings in the region is for space cooling. He highlighted the economic and societal benefits of district cooling, advocating for global collaboration to develop and expand this strategic industry, thereby contributing to a carbon-free future.

Empower’s Success Story

During his address, Bin Shafar shared Empower's success in pioneering district cooling globally, leveraging advanced management and control technologies. "Empower is one of the key partners of the various initiatives of United Nations Environment Programs. We will continue supporting the UN and the district cooling industry in all their efforts for greater deployment of this energy-efficient solution. We are also collaborating with industry experts and universities to conduct research to develop next-generation district cooling systems," he said.

He also underscored the importance of technological advancements in conserving electricity and water within the district cooling industry. "Dubai is an early adopter of Treated Sewage Effluent and Thermal Energy Storage technologies in the district cooling sector, significantly conserving potable water and energy," Bin Shafar added. He reiterated Dubai’s commitment to transforming into a center of excellence for technologies aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

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