Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), the Dubai-based district cooling services provider, has connected 40 buildings to its district cooling services in the first half of 2018, it has announced.

According to a WAM report, the total connected load during this period is more than 52,000 refrigeration tonnes (RT). Empower also said that it has awarded contractors and suppliers with 25 contracts on new projects in different areas of Dubai, mainly to build new district cooling plants and networks.

“Our statistics of projects, agreements and contracts in Q1 of 2018 reflect the awareness of owners and developers of the importance of energy-saving and environmentally friendly district cooling systems. District cooling systems have become an integral part of the planning and design of modern buildings in Dubai,” said Ahmad bin Shafar, CEO of Empower.

“We are on track with our solid strategy to add more buildings and customers to our portfolio to ensure steady growth and meet our objectives of sustainable development in Dubai. This supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to transform the emirate into a global hub for clean energy and green economy and strengthen its position to become the city with the lowest carbon footprint in the world. It also supports the UAE Vision 2021 to make the UAE one of the best countries in the world by 2021,” added Bin Shafar.

Currently operating 73 district cooling plants across Dubai, Empower started operations in 2014 by supplying two buildings with district cooling services. By the end of 2017, the number of buildings supplied had reached 1,000.