Post by : Badri Ariffin

Dubai: Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation PJSC (Empower) has confirmed its pivotal role in facilitating Dubai's sustainable urban development by enhancing its district cooling plants and underground pipeline systems across significant areas in the emirate.

The firm stated that this ongoing infrastructure expansion is crucial for accommodating Dubai’s burgeoning population and swift urbanization, all while minimizing electricity consumption and reducing strain on energy networks. As it stands at the end of 2025, Empower manages over 430 kilometers of underground pipelines and 90 district cooling facilities across the city.

Empower emphasized that district cooling is gaining international momentum as nations and city planners seek energy-efficient strategies to address soaring temperatures, urban growth, and escalating electricity needs. These systems are also instrumental in mitigating urban heat island effects and enhancing environmental sustainability.

During a recent webinar hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Cool Coalition centered on the theme “District Cooling as Urban Energy Infrastructure,” H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower, remarked that Dubai has emerged as an international exemplar of advanced district cooling infrastructure, driven by its dedication to sustainability and efficiency.

Bin Shafar indicated that Empower is committed to scaling its plants and networks to match Dubai’s rapid growth while assuring dependable and eco-friendly cooling solutions. He noted that the company has effectively evolved district cooling into a reliable utility, aiding Dubai’s sustainability objectives.

The connected cooling capacity of Empower has dramatically surged from 5,400 refrigeration tons (RT) in 2004 to approximately 1.7 million RT today, making it the largest district cooling services provider globally.

The company also unveiled multiple new projects across Dubai. Recently, Empower awarded a design contract for its fifth district cooling plant situated in Business Bay, which is anticipated to have a total cooling capacity of around 44,000 RT upon completion.

In the first quarter of 2026, Empower added 33,500 RT to its total connected capacity while expanding its client base to nearly 160,000 customers across 1,776 buildings.

In 2025, the company commenced operations at its Deira Waterfront cooling plant, boasting a total capacity of 39,000 RT and serving over 46 buildings. Additionally, the excavation and foundation works for a new cooling plant in Al Sufouh 2, which is planned to have a capacity of 23,400 RT, were also awarded.

Construction is ongoing for Empower's second cooling plant in Jumeirah Village, estimated to deliver about 37,000 RT of cooling capacity. Moreover, a design contract for a cooling facility in Dubai Science Park, expected to support nearly 80 buildings with a total capacity of 47,000 RT, was awarded.

Empower stated that these expansion projects fortify Dubai's future resilience by delivering reliable, adaptable, and sustainable cooling infrastructure, thus furthering the emirate's energy efficiency ambitions and solidifying its position as a global leader in the district cooling arena.

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