Empower joins IDEA 2025 as Diamond Sponsor to highlight District Cooling innovations
DUBAI, UAE, 29 May 2025: Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation PJSC (Empower) announced through a Press Release its participation as a Diamond Sponsor in the 116th International District Energy Association (IDEA) Annual Conference and Trade Show. Empower said the global event will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, from 2 to 5 June under the theme “Aggregate, Integrate, Innovate.”
Empower said it views its role in the conference as significant, with a delegation led by H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower; Chairman, District Cooling Operators Association, Dubai; and Member Emeritus, IDEA Board of Directors. The company noted that its team of attendees will include senior executives and staff members.
Empower confirmed that Bin Shafar will speak at the opening keynote session titled “Global Industry Leaders,” where he will present the company’s District Cooling journey in Dubai, along with achievements in energy efficiency and sustainability. Empower stated that its environmentally friendly practices have become a global benchmark.
The company added that it will present a technical paper during one of the specialised sessions, detailing how machine learning is being applied within its operations. According to Empower, the paper will focus on the use of advanced analytics and operational data to optimise District Cooling plant performance, reduce energy consumption and support environmental sustainability. Empower noted that the presentation will also outline key outcomes, challenges addressed, and future plans for applying artificial intelligence to other operational areas.
Commenting on the announcement, Bin Shafar said: “Empower’s diamond sponsorship and participation in IDEA 2025 underscore the importance of this vital event for us as a leading player in the global district cooling industry. This platform enables us to enhance our positioning, share our expertise and innovations, and strengthen international cooperation to develop sustainable and environmentally-friendly cooling solutions.”
He added: “District cooling has recently emerged as one of the most efficient and sustainable energy solutions globally, particularly in the time of growing environmental challenges, including climate change. This industry plays a vital role in reducing electricity consumption and lowering carbon emissions, making it a strategic option for countries pursuing sustainability goals.”
Empower highlighted that the UAE was among the first countries to adopt District Cooling systems, and said it has invested heavily in their development. Bin Shafar stated: “At Empower, we continuously work to enhance our technologies and operational capabilities in line with the vision of our wise leadership. We aim to export our expertise to international markets through active participation in global forums like the IDEA conference and exhibition.”
Empower also shared that the host city for the 9th IDEA District Cooling Conference 2025 will be announced during the upcoming event. The company noted that it has submitted a bid to host the event for the fourth time in Dubai, following previous hostings in 2014, 2016 and 2018.
On this, Bin Shafar remarked: “We are proud to be part of this important global event on District Cooling, which gathers experts and top leaders in the sector from around the world to exchange knowledge and experiences. Our goal is to support sustainable development in the region, foster innovative solutions to improve energy efficiency, reduce harmful emissions, and contribute to national and global economies. This will ultimately have a positive impact on the natural resources and help secure a safer future for generations to come.”
