Ahmad Bin Shafar

DUBAI, UAE, 25 June 2019: Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), has been appointed as IDEA Board Member Emeritus, the District Cooling utility company said through a Press communiqué. IDEA announced his appointment during the 110^th Annual IDEA Conference and Tradeshow 2019, taking place from June 24 to 27, in Pittsburgh, United States.

According to the communiqué, the appointment comes after the IDEA Board of Directors unanimously approved the change in the bylaws in May 2019 to create the new position of Board Member Emeritus. Bin Shafar was selected under the category, along with industry veteran and former IDEA Chair, Juan Ontiveros, Associate Vice President for Utilities, Energy and Facilities Management at the University of Texas at Austin, the communiqué said.

The Executive Committee of IDEA offered Bin Shafar the new position, which entails serving the IDEA Board of Directors for a three-year term, the communiqué said. Bin Shafar accepted the offer.

Bin Shafar, the communiqué said, was offered the position in recognition of his extensive contributions to the organisation during a six-year tenure on the Board, his continued enthusiasm for supporting key industry objectives to preserve the environment and support green energy projects, and his participation in, and sponsorship of, many volunteer activities of the Association.

Speaking on the occasion of the appointment, Rob Thornton, President and CEO, IDEA, said, “On behalf of the IDEA Executive Committee, we are pleased to commend  Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower, for a three-year term as Board Member Emeritus, in recognition of his many contributions and ongoing support of IDEA in advancing the global district cooling industry.”

According to the communiqué, under Bin Shafar’s leadership, Empower has been a very active and engaged member company within IDEA, frequently sharing new technologies and innovations to help others in the industry also to optimise investments in district cooling systems, and supporting green practices and sustainable solutions for urban developments that protect the environment.

Bin Shafar, on accepting the position, said: “Receiving this honorary membership in IDEA Board of Directors, under a newly formed category, presents us with great challenges in the district cooling sector and increases our responsibility in the efforts of maintaining a green and sustainable environment. This new position also reflects the role of Empower, in particular, and Dubai and the UAE, in general, in supporting green energy-saving solutions and projects.

“Empower’s role in district cooling, and IDEA’s confidence in Empower, motivates us to promote this vital sector, ensure the highest levels of excellence and quality of services to our customers, and support the various activities that contribute to building a green economy for future generations.”

Bin Shafar is a member of the Board of Directors of IDEA, a position that he holds as the first Emirati since 2013. He has also been appointed as Special Advisor on District Cooling by United Nations Environment (UN Environment), as part of its ‘District Energy in Cities’ initiative.