Empower CEO Ahmad Bin Shafar commits company's full support in meeting objectives of ‘Dubai Demand Side Management Strategy', at WETEX 2017

Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), the world’s largest district cooling services provider, reaffirmed its continuing support and commitment in the unified efforts directed towards achieving the goals and objectives set by the Dubai Demand Side Management Strategy (DSM), an initiative that aims to position the emirate as a role model in energy efficiency by implementing cost-effective electricity and water demand saving measures and developing a green service market. Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower, received a copy of the 2016 Dubai Demand Side Management Strategy Report from H.E Ahmad Buti Al Muhairbi, Secretary General of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, during the company's participation at this year’s Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) and the World Green Economy Summit (WGES), which ran from 23 to 25 October 2017 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).

Empower expressed its full support for the DSM Strategy through its district cooling program, which aims to increase the penetration of district cooling systems from 16 per cent refrigeration capacity in 2011 to 40 per cent by 2030--implementing key steps in regulating the industry that are in line with Dubai's efforts to rationalize energy consumption and increase efficiency. The move also looks towards enhancing the emirate's competitiveness and bringing it one step closer in its goal of achieving economic sustainability.

Bin Shafar emphasized that Empower remains fully committed in implementing the DSM strategy, which aims at reducing electricity and water consumption by about 30 per cent by 2030--in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and 

Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The strategy also complements the objectives of Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to make the emirate a global hub for clean energy and green economy while also reinforcing its position as the city with the least carbon footprint in the world by 2050.

H.E. Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Energy, said, “2016 marked another great step in our journey towards achieving 30% savings of electricity and water by 2030. We look forward to continuing to achieve and exceed our targets with district cooling as a key contributor to electricity savings”

The Empower CEO also pointed out the strategic role of the district cooling systems offered by its company, which has adopted and implemented the latest global technologies in district cooling as part of its move to conserve power, preserve the environment, help achieve sustainability and contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions. He also noted that Empower has been using the District Cooling Systems via treated water for over five years now, resulting in a decrease in wasted natural resources and in keeping with Dubai Plan 2021’s vision to make Dubai sustainable and innovative in the management of its natural resources.

Bin Shafar added, “According to the DSM Strategy, there is a strong expectation of retrofitting the existing buildings and connecting them to the district cooling systems. We have already connected some of the most iconic projects in Dubai with the district cooling services and look forward to transforming more existing projects in the future.”

The 2016 Dubai Demand Side Management Strategy report showcases the emirate's efforts in managing the demand for energy, which has already achieved remarkable results, including consumption savings of around 6.8 per cent for electricity and 3.4 per cent for water, in addition to approximately 2.8 TWh of electricity per year and 3.7 billion gallons per year of desalinated water.

The DSM strategy spans across a timeline set from 2013 to 2030, covering the implementation of eight programs, which include building regulations, building retrofits, districts cooling, standards and labels for appliances and equipment, water reuse and efficient irrigation, outdoor lighting, electricity and water tariff rates and 'Shams Dubai'. The strategy is also being tied up with several other programs and initiatives that complement the efforts to adopt global best practices related to energy demand and conservation.

Empower provides  environmentally responsible district cooling services to large-scale real estate developments such as Jumeirah Group, Business Bay, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai International Financial Centre, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Ibn Battuta Mall, Discovery Gardens, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai World trade Centre Residences, Dubai Design District, among others.