DWTC and Empower sign deal for 120,000-tonne district cooling solution

Under the agreement Empower will build and operate a comprehensive district cooling solution, starting in the first phase with a 55,000-refrigeration tonne capacity that will scale up to 120,000 tonnes in the next phase.

Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, DWTC, said:

"In laying the foundations for DTCD, we are working with companies that provide advanced solutions to support sustainable development. This project was among the first in the region to be designed to be built to the highest environmental standards, and our choice of district cooling partner provides critical support in this regard."

Set in the heart of Dubai, at the intersection of the Emirates Towers and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), DTCD will be one of the most vibrant business hubs in the region, and master developer DWTC has set a priority on working with the most experienced and innovative partners for every stage of construction.

Empower, a joint venture between Tecom Investments and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, has played a key role in providing district cooling for many of the UAE's most important projects, including Jumeriah Beach Residence and Dubai Healthcare City.

Ahmed Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower, said:

"The District Cooling solution deployed for DTCD will provide a highly sustainable, technology-advanced response to the challenges of having efficient and reliable as well as environment friendly cooling systems for a large-scale business district. Empower is delighted to sign with DWTC, one of the most reputable business icons in Dubai, and join hands to take the lead in the field of energy-efficiency and sustainability."

The cooling solution has been designed to prioritise sustainable development, in line with the directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as outlined in the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015.

District cooling is seen as one of the key tools in reducing the energy consumption and long-term environmental costs of large-scale developments like DTCD. The solution provided by Empower will be amongst the most sophisticated and energy-efficient yet implemented in the region.

Work on the project will begin immediately following the contract signing.

DTCD, which will offer over 240,000 sq. metres of Grade A office space in its first phase, is incorporating the highest LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Standards through the complete development lifecycle, including design, construction, operation and maintenance.