DUBAI, UAE, 12 February 2024: Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation PJSC (Empower) announced its financial results for the fiscal year 2023 and said it has a record revenue of AED 3.035 billion, marking a significant growth of 8.7% compared to 2022. Making the announcement through a Press release, Empower said it has recorded a net profit of AED 960 million for the reporting year and added that a final dividend of AED 425 million for 2023 will be paid by April 2024 to its shareholders. 

For 2023, Empower said its revenue and EBITDA grew by 8.7% and 6.2%, respectively. Empower said the pro forma Net Profit grew by 6.1% to AED 1,083 million, and this pro forma Net Profit comparison adjusts for pre-IPO leverage to show comparable performance. On an absolute basis, Empower said, it reported a net profit of AED 960 million for 2023.

Empower has also excelled in its operational performance; the number of buildings catered to by Empower’s District Cooling services reached 1,522 by the end of 2023, with an increase of four per cent compared to 2022, while the total length of the District Cooling pipeline network exceeded 398 kilometres with a rise of 4.7% compared to 2022.

Dividends

Empower said it paid a cash dividend of AED 850 million during the year 2023 in two equal instalments of AED 425 million each in April and October. Empower said the distribution marks the fulfilment of its commitment to pay dividends to its shareholders twice a year, with a cumulative value of AED 850 million per annum during the first two fiscal years following its listing on the Dubai Financial Market. Furthermore, Empower said that after the committed dividend distributions for the first two fiscal years following the IPO, the company expects to pay a sustainable dividend in line with the growth of the business.

H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower, said: “Empower’s exceptional financial performance reflects the unwavering confidence of its shareholders and consumers, solidifying its position as a trusted leader. Moreover, the company demonstrated impressive adaptability and learning agility in 2023, effectively navigating challenges and converting them into opportunities for future growth and prosperity.”

Empower said H.E. Bin Shafar clarified that Empower’s strategy of proactive readiness in delivering District Cooling services enabled it to handle the rapid developments in the real estate sector, which witnessed the completion of various projects and the launch of a wide range of multi-use projects. H.E. Bin Shafar said, “Our professional teams, combined with these resources and our commitment to investing in advanced technologies and modern cooling plants across Dubai, together represent solid foundations for a unique business model that enables sustained revenue and profit growth, while also delivering environmental benefits that contribute to protecting our climate and natural resources.”

Business growth

Empower said it has concluded various Master Development Agreements during 2023 with major real estate developers in Dubai. Most notably, Empower said, the agreement signed with Dubai Maritime City (DMC) translates to providing cooling services to DMC with a total capacity exceeding 63,000 refrigeration tons. Empower will develop District Cooling infrastructure that includes two plants and the related distribution network, to cater to 43 existing and upcoming buildings in the DMC development. The District Cooling project, Empower said, will be completed in two phases. Empower also said that it had announced the completion of all operations to connect the ‘Anwa’ residential tower in the DMC development in 2023, to its District Cooling services network, with a total capacity of 1,260 refrigeration tons. 

Empower said it has also concluded an agreement with Sobha Properties, one of the leading luxury real estate development companies in the UAE, to supply the Sobha Hartland project with environmentally friendly District Cooling services for a cooling capacity of up to 17,000 refrigeration tons. As part of the agreement, Empower said it will provide District Cooling services to eight buildings in the Sobha Hartland from the Meydan Plant and through the expansion of the associated pipeline network.

During 2023, Empower said, it commenced serving Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world. Operating with a total capacity of 110,000 refrigeration tons (RT) with a value of AED 1.1 billion, five District Cooling plants and the related assets were linked to Empower’s operational, production, distribution, and administrative systems as part of the deal, the District Cooling utility provider added.

In 2023, Empower said, it also completed the qualitative expansion and development of the District Cooling infrastructure in the Business Bay region, which hosts the world’s single largest urban District Cooling systems, with a total capacity of 450,000 RT spread across six District Cooling plant rooms and ten thermal energy storage (TES) tanks, including existing and upcoming facilities.

Key sectors

Empower said its portfolio expanded during 2023, delivering District Cooling services to a total of 1,522 buildings across diverse sectors in Dubai. Empower said that 64% of the total number of buildings served by it are residential buildings and 15% are commercial and office buildings. Furthermore, Empower said, the hotel and hospitality sector represents 14%, with Empower serving 21% of Dubai’s hotels, totalling 821, the health sector accounts for three per cent, and the remaining four per cent is distributed among education, entertainment, shopping centres and other sectors.

H.E. Bin Shafar said, “The company remains committed to supporting various sectors across Dubai in their carbon reduction efforts, aligning with the Emirate’s vision for a green economy and sustainable development.”

District Cooling Plants

Empower said it commenced the operation of its new District Cooling plant in the Dubai Land Residence complex (DLRC), with a production capacity of 47,000 refrigeration tons, to serve the residents of DLRC.

During the year, Empower said, it also commenced an upgradation project of its Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) District Cooling plant to equip it with modern, innovative technologies by awarding a contract worth AED 102 million. The JBR plant, Empower said, serves 76 towers, 9,000 residences, and 2,000 hotel units, and the modernisation project is expected to be completed by 2025.

The District Cooling utility provider also said it awarded a set of contracts last year to build an advanced next-generation District Cooling plant and expand the District Cooling pipeline network in the Jumeirah Beach Hills area. This expansion project, Empower said, will provide a total cooling capacity of 48,000 refrigeration tons (RT) and will serve residential and tourist destinations in Dubai, including landmarks like Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Marsa Al-Arab, Madinat Jumeirah Living, Madinat Jumeirah, Jumeirah Al-Naseem Hotel, and many more architectural icons in Dubai.

In May 2023, Empower, announced the commencement of construction of reverse osmosis plants in three out of its eight District Cooling plants in Palm Jumeirah. This initiative, Empower said, is part of the company’s efforts to rationalise fresh water consumption in District Cooling operations, aligning with the objectives of the Dubai Demand Side Management Strategy, which aims for a 30% reduction in water consumption by 2030. Empower said it has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic investments to expand operations in Dubai and enhance its operational excellence. This initiative, Empower said, is driven by the company’s dedication to modernisation and developing its infrastructure and technical workforce. The goal, Empower said, is to effectively address the increasing demand for the company’s services from individuals, institutions, and companies. Empower said it currently holds a significant share, surpassing 80%, of the District Cooling market in Dubai.

Awards

Empower said it has won various awards during the past year, notably two gold awards at IDEA Annual Conference 2023, held in Chicago, USA, in the categories ‘Number of Buildings Committed’ and ‘Total Building Area Committed’. Empower said it has won gold awards from IDEA for these categories during the years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022 and added that it has also won more than 16 times multiple awards in different categories during the past years, in addition to several awards in different global conferences and exhibitions.

In recognition of the company’s green building practices, Empower said, its Za’abeel District Cooling plant received the prestigious Gold certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). This recognition, Empower said, is a result of the Za’abeel plant’s successful adherence to the rigorous Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards set by the USGBC. The certification, Empower added, serves as a testament to its pioneering efforts in environmental preservation and carbon footprint reduction.

Empower said, the CEO Middle East also named H.E. Bin Shafar, as CEO of the Year 2023 for the Energy Sector for the third time, during the Middle East CEO Awards ceremony. The title, Empower said, is awarded in recognition of his pivotal role in advancing the District Cooling sector in the Middle East region and his strategic direction that led Empower to a prominent global position, in addition to his tangible contributions and efforts with the company’s teams in implementing the country’s objectives towards sustainable development.

Empower said it also hosted the District Cooling Summit 2023, which was organised in collaboration with the International District Energy Association (IDEA) as a side event of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in the Green Zone. The summit, Empower said, witnessed the participation of delegates, professionals, experts, and decision-makers from around the world and brought together leading experts to discuss the transformative potential of District Cooling in advancing sustainable urban development and climate mitigation efforts.

H.E. Bin Shafar, said: “Empower moves forward with a clear vision and effective expansion strategies that align with the vision of wise leadership for transitioning towards sustainability. We aim to contribute more to cost reduction and improved energy efficiency by leveraging the advanced technologies we have developed.”