DUBAI, UAE, 17 February 2021: Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) has commenced operations of its district cooling plant at Dubai Production City Project, with a cooling capacity of 47,000 refrigeration tons (RT). Making the announcement through a Press release, the utility provider added that it awarded the contract, worth AED197 million, in 2020 with the objective of building a new-generation district cooling plant.

This is the first permanent plant room out of the three plant rooms being established in the area, with a total capacity of 125,000 RT for the whole project upon completion, Empower said. To date, 52 multi-use buildings have already been connected to the new plant during the first phase, Empower said, adding that 14 buildings will be connected in the next two years.

Ahmad Bin Shafar

Empower stated that starting the plant is part of the company’s strategy to meet the increasing demand for district cooling services in the area, and its keenness to provide high-quality and environmentally friendly cooling services through highly efficient cooling plants. The new plant includes two Thermal Energy Storage (TES) tanks that can cover the needs during the peak hours and reduce additional load on the state power grid by optimising the inflow and outflow of chilled water, Empower added.

Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower, highlighted that advanced technologies are being used in the plant to ensure the lowest energy and water consumption. In addition to the TES tanks, which reduce the pressure on the state power grid, a Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) system, has been incorporated to generate make-up water, necessary for the cooling towers, Empower said. The TSE system will reduce the consumption of fresh water and, thus, contribute to preserving natural resources for future generations, Empower added.

Bin Shafar highlighted that the plant is currently connected to Empower’s existing chilled water network of 20 kilometres, with provision for future extension of the network for serving new buildings coming up in the area. He said the plant has also been linked with Empower’s remote Command Control Centre (CCC) through using advanced SCADA system.

Bin Shafar said that Empower has taken into account the current and future urban expansions in Dubai Production City while designing the project. The plant is designed considering the aesthetic aspect of the modern urban development in Dubai as well as the general appearance and the external appearance of the buildings in the area, he said. The plant, he added, was designed and constructed with the highest sustainability standards in mind, to set it up for LEED Gold status, awarded by the US Green Building Council.