DUBAI, UAE, 23 January 2024: Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation PJSC (Empower), the District Cooling services provider, announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) for the development of a unified and globally approved District Cooling Standard, which will be adopted by various countries with emerging District Cooling infrastructure by 2025. Making the announcement through a Press release, Empower said that the MoU was signed by H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower, and Ginger Scoggins, President, ASHRAE, during Empower’s participation in the ASHRAE Conference 2024, in Chicago.

H.E. Bin Shafar, said: “Recognising the immense potential of District Cooling for environmental, economic, and social improvement, the industry must collaborate to drive its adoption. Expanding its reach will make these benefits tangible for diverse urban environments and communities worldwide. A crucial step forward is the strategic partnership between ASHRAE and Empower, driven by a shared humanitarian vision. By establishing adaptable professional standards, we aim to equip stakeholders in different countries to implement District Cooling systems optimised for their specific climates, environments, and contexts.”

H.E. Bin Shafar also said that Empower operates in line with the vision and directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, UAE and Prime Minister and Ruler, Dubai, to transform Dubai into the smartest and happiest city in the world.

H.E. Bin Shafar said: “Driven by an innovation-based approach, our strategic partnerships with international stakeholders seek to develop advanced, practical solutions to improve energy efficiency, enhance indoor cooling services, and support sustainability efforts. This will ultimately contribute to sustainable economic growth, environmental preservation, and carbon emission reduction by implementing the Demand Side Management Strategy, a key initiative focused on reducing energy and water consumption by 30% by 2030.”

For her part, Ginger Scoggins, President, ASHRAE, said, “ASHRAE is pleased to collaborate with Empower in crafting this standard and shares in a commitment to promoting sustainability through District Cooling on a global scale. The District Cooling Standard will be the global reference for design professionals, including specialists, utility engineers, and system designers. It will provide in-depth guidance on design,
operation, and maintenance of District Cooling systems along with strategies for system improvement and thermal storage integration.”