DUBAI, UAE, 31 December 2019: Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) concluded the year 2019 with the commissioning of a new district cooling plant in Barsha Heights, the utility said through a Press release. The facility, built at a cost AED 169 million, has a total capacity of 31,250 refrigeration tonnes (RT), the utility added.

According to the release, the construction contract was awarded in December 2018, as part of the utility’s plans to develop its infrastructure, improve district cooling services and to increase the operational efficiency across its district cooling plants. The new state-of-the-art district cooling plant in Barsha Heights will replace the three temporary plants currently operating in the area, the utility said.

Empower explained that the new plant is designed according to the highest international standards in terms of construction and building design, as it took into account the criteria of sustainable green buildings and modern urban development in Dubai, as well as the general appearance and the external appearance of the buildings in the district. The project is expected to be awarded the Gold certification for green buildings from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) of the US Green Building Council (USGBC), the utility said.

The new district cooling plant is equipped with the latest Thermal Energy Storage (TES) technology, which optimises power consumption during peak hours, and also will use the Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) technology in its operations, which would play a pivotal role in preserving natural resources, the utility said.

Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower, said: “Commissioning of this new district cooling plant in the Barsha Heights area, which is witnessing a huge real estate and urban boom, contributes to raising the operational efficiency and quality of services provided to our customers.

“We are always working to increase the number of district cooling plants across Dubai, as part of our strategic plan to keep the pace with the remarkable population growth, which leads to a high demand for cooling services. As part of our efforts to expand the deployment of district cooling services, we are aiming to provide efficient and quality services to ensure our customers’ satisfaction.

“In 2020, Empower will witness a significant development and an increase in permanent district cooling plants, as well as the expansion of its pipe network to serve the widest segment of major and emerging projects in Dubai.”