Empower meets and discusses the future plans of District Energy in Cities initiative with UNEP

HE Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), the world’s largest district cooling services provider, has met with Mr. Mark Radka Branch Chief, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and lengthily discussed the significance of developing methodological framework to promote district cooling technologies in developing cities. Bin Shafar emphasised during the meeting on the pioneering role of district cooling as an ideal environmental friendly chilling solution. Bin Shafar and Radka have also discussed conducting feasibility studies of district cooling in Morocco, China, Serbia, Chile, and India where Empower is helping in disseminating this technology. 

H.E Bin Shafar was also a key speaker at the 2nd partners meeting of "District Energy in Cities" initiative of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), held in the UN House in Brussels as part of  the European Union Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW 2016), concluding tomorrow (17 June) in Brussels. 

Bin Shafar has delivered a key note at the first two-hour session of the meeting highlighting the best practices of district cooling in the UAE. Bin Shafar's note was welcomed by attendees from all over the world who praised the exponential growth of Empower's technologies and its instrumental role in persevering environment and tackling climate change issues. Bin Shafar has also highlighted operational methodologies pertaining to district cooling and the potential of implementing these technologies in other parts of the world, especially in developing countries.  

"We work closely with UNEP to raise the bar of district cooling technologies worldwide for its importance in conserving environmental resources. Moreover, we partner with them on increasing the efficiency of this technology as we both are aware of its environmental sustainability," added Bin Shafar. 

Bin Shafar said: "In the near future, district cooling will be a major driver of energy management in developing countries which will help save energy resources to be used in other vital sectors.  UAE has reinforced its pioneering role in the world in intensifying its fight to climate change thanks to the vision of its wise leadership that directed organisations from public and private sectors to adopt green practices. We at Empower endeavor to export green practices to other developing countries to promote the use of district cooling being ideal solution particularly in regions with hot weather throughout the year." 

The meeting boasted a series of discussions on the potential and efforts of global companies in the fields of environment and energy. It also highlighted Europe's Heating and Cooling Strategy and Role of district energy in meeting the global climate and energy goals. Moreover, it included presentations about Germany’s leadership role on district energy, and Italy's support for scaling up district energy globally. The meeting was attended by government organisations, financial institutions, and private sector companies, and international energy experts.  It served as an ideal platform for cities to benefit from the in-depth knowledge of participants to discuss partnership opportunities for increasing the use of district cooling technologies.

Empower currently operates more than 1,100,000 RT, providing environmentally responsible district cooling services to large-scale real estate developments, such as Jumeirah Group, Business Bay, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai International Financial Centre, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Ibn Battuta Mall, Discovery Gardens, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai World Trade Centre Residences and Dubai Design District, among others.