Empower meets with Chilean leadership to discuss District Cooling collaboration
DUBAI, UAE, 15 September 2025: Empower CEO, H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar, met Fares Jadue, Mayor of Recoleta, Chile, to explore collaboration in the field of District Cooling. Making the announcement through a Press Release, Empower said the meeting took place on the sidelines of the International District Energy Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC 2025), on September 9 and 10 in Santiago, Chile.
Empower said the discussions revolved around key developments in District Cooling and the increasing global emphasis on sustainable development, efficient cooling and carbon emission reduction. H.E. Bin Shafar, who also serves as Special Advisor on District Cooling to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Member Emeritus of the Board of Directors of the International District Energy Association (IDEA), and Chairman of the District Cooling Operators Association – GCC region, reiterated Empower’s commitment to sharing UAE’s experience in the sector.
Empower said that Mayor Jadue shared his municipality’s plans to implement a District Cooling system. H.E. Bin Shafar welcomed the initiative and affirmed Empower’s willingness to provide technical guidance and expertise in support of the project’s success and alignment with Recoleta’s sustainability objectives, Empower said.
According to Empower, both parties expressed interest in further cooperation, knowledge exchange and mutual engagement in sustainable energy technologies. The company also noted that the interaction reinforced the role of District Cooling in supporting international climate goals and fostering low-carbon urban development.
As a symbolic gesture, H.E. Bin Shafar presented Mayor Jadue with a copy of My Story, a book authored by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the company said. Empower highlighted that the book reflects the UAE’s vision of innovation, leadership and long-term planning.
Commenting on the meeting, H.E. Bin Shafar said: “I was pleased to meet Fares Jadue, the Mayor of Recoleta, on the sidelines of the International District Energy Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC 2025). At Empower, we remain committed to sharing expertise, exchanging knowledge and building effective partnerships that strengthen
international cooperation in the District Cooling sector. This vital industry plays a significant role in addressing global energy challenges and creating new opportunities for collaboration that deliver lasting benefits to communities worldwide.”
He further added that Empower’s international role reflects Dubai’s leadership in energy transformation and sustainable development. “We remain committed to supporting the vision of our wise leadership, achieving new milestones, and contributing to the global advancement of the district cooling sector,” he said. “These efforts reflect our continued focus on promoting sustainability, fostering innovation, and supporting international aspirations for a greener future for all.”
Empower said it was an official sponsor of LAC 2025. The company added that the event was organised by the Ministry of Energy and the Sustainable Energy Agency of Chile, funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and supported by UNEP, the Cool Coalition, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and IDEA. Empower confirmed that H.E. Bin Shafar participated in two key sessions during the conference’s opening day, where he shared insights into District Cooling sector trends and opportunities, in the presence of international experts and policymakers.