Empower receives LEED Gold for DLRC District Cooling Plant
DUBAI, UAE, 5 May 2025: Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation PJSC (Empower) announced that its DLRC District Cooling Plant has been awarded the Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Empower stated in a Press Release that the certification followed the DLRC plant’s successful fulfilment of the Council’s sustainability benchmarks.
Empower said the achievement underscores its environmental leadership and its efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The company noted that it has previously received similar certifications for other District Cooling plants in its portfolio.
According to Empower, the DLRC plant is one of its newest facilities and has a production capacity of 47,000 refrigeration tons. The plant serves Dubai Land Residence Complex, a residential area comprising community facilities such as parks, libraries, mosques, hotels, schools, medical centres and shopping malls, said Empower.
Empower added that the DLRC project consists of four next-generation plants, including three in development. Once completed, these facilities will collectively provide district cooling services to over 250 mixed-use buildings, delivering a combined capacity of 120,000 refrigeration tons, said Empower.
Commenting on the certification, H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower, said, “Empower is committed to reinforcing its ongoing contribution to accelerating the transition toward green buildings and establishing a sustainable model for energy delivery that protects the environment and its resources. We work closely with various government entities to help Dubai exceed its targets under the Carbon Abatement Strategy.”
The company said the DLRC cooling plant incorporates smart and innovative technologies developed by Empower. Among these, Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems are employed to conserve electricity. Empower also uses Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) water in its cooling operations, which it noted helps reduce freshwater usage and contributes to environmental conservation.
