Company’s production capacity reached 350,000 RT in 2011, serving 17 real estate projects in the UAE

Ahmed Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower, has revealed that the company’s production capacity crossed 350,000 TR in 2011, serving 17 real estate projects in the UAE.

He was speaking at the Chapters Regional Conference (CRC) in Abu Dhabi organised by the ASHRAE Falcon Chapter, under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad, UAE Minister of Environment & Water.

Bin Shafar lauded ASHRAE’s continuous support to the UAE district cooling industry. “Empower is the only district cooling company to sponsor this world-class event held in the UAE for the second time in five years, which shows the importance of district cooling to the American body,” he said.

In his speech, Bin Shafar urged district cooling companies in the UAE to link production to real demand and avoid over capacity. He said expansion in production should be based on actual consumption instead of speculated demand.

He shared insights into the advanced position of the UAE in the district cooling industry at the annual conference designed for all regional ASHRAE chapters to connect and discuss the organisation. The conference was attended by prominent global sustainability scientists, engineers and policy makers.

Bin Shafar said: “For the second time in five years, the UAE had the honour of hosting the CRC. This shows the significant position of the UAE when it comes to refrigerating and air-conditioning in the region. Earlier this year, Empower was given the privilege to review the first District Cooling Design Manual, which is being compiled by ASHRAE.

“We have been tasked to spearhead a strategic move to establish ASHRAE guidelines for the design and building of plant rooms and distribution network for the district cooling industry. I am happy to inform you that we have made remarkable progress in this regard.”

The district cooling industry is growing very rapidly in the region. However, there are no guidelines for the design and building of a plant room. Without these guidelines Empower is reviewing, it is left to the consultants to use their own guidelines.

Conference spokespersons acknowledged that UAE has been an important participant and a robust driver of green initiatives.

The first draft of the ASHRAE design manual for district cooling systems would be reviewed by Empower as the only district cooling company in the world to do so. ASHRAE lauded Empower for initiating the idea of the design manual and providing the necessary impetus for the realisation of the project.