Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) has been awarded a contract that will see it provide 63,000 Refrigeration Tonnes (RT) of cooling capacity for Dubai Maritime City (DMC).
The agreement – the first following the successful listing of Empower on the Dubai Financial Market- is said to reflect the confidence of the business sector in the role played by Empower in providing eco-friendly district cooling services with economic, social, climatic and environmental gains.
The agreement also reflects Empower’s high ability to expand its business, and increase the scope of its projects with an advanced and sustainable business model, a statement from the firm said.
Billed as a prominent urban destination, Dubai Maritime City – a part of DP World – is situated between Port Rashid and Dubai Dry Docks, and aims to develop and support maritime trade and improve freight services and various marine services. The city includes luxury residential properties, 5-star hotels, modern office towers, retail outlets, and a variety of services that improve the lifestyle and work in one place.
In mid April 2022, Empower said its district cooling network grew by 33.2% between 2018-2021.
Empower will now invest US $122mn to cater to the needs of more than 43 buildings in DMC with world-class district cooling services in two phases through two plants located within the city, and operate with innovative and technologically advanced systems, CEO Ahmad bin Shafar stated, after signing the deal with Sultan bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World.
Bin Shafar noted that the DMC contract win reflects the positive demand within the real estate sector for investment in the field of environmental sustainability, which mainly contributes to enhancing the company’s growth process.
He pointed out that the first phase of the project includes supplying cooling energy to 27 buildings with a capacity of more than 28,000RT, while the second phase includes supplying 16 buildings with 35,000RT of cooling energy.
Bin Sulayem noted that the agreement with Empower was in line with DP World’s sustainability strategy represented in the company’s programme ‘Our world, Our future’, to join its list of efforts to implement projects and conduct its operations in a responsible manner.
In early June 2022, Empower launched operations at its 50,000RT cooling plant in Business Bay.
He concluded, “Our relationship with Empower helps us translate our commitment to green building standards in Dubai, and support the environmental direction and sustainable development goals.”
In early January 2023, Empower said it successfully re-certified for three ISO standards.