Empower continues strategic expansion with a new 23,400 RT District Cooling Plant in Al Sufouh

As part of its expansion strategy, Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation PJSC (Empower), the world's largest district cooling services provider, has awarded a contract for the construction of a new district cooling plant in the Al Sufouh 2 area with a cooling capacity of 23,400 refrigeration tons (RT). The project underscores Empower’s commitment to supporting Dubai’s rapid urban growth and meeting the increasing demand for sustainable, high-efficiency district cooling services. The company confirmed that construction has commenced as planned under the direct supervision of Empower’s in-house projects team, with completion expected in the third quarter of 2027.

The new plant forms part of Empower’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its cooling capacity and expand its district cooling network across Dubai, supporting sustainable urban development while ensuring the delivery of reliable, highly efficient cooling services to key areas of the emirate.

The new plant will provide district cooling services to a wide range of mixed-use buildings in Al Sufouh 2 area, including commercial buildings, office towers, hotels, residential complexes, hospitality and educational facilities, as well as other development projects. Among the most prominent projects is the "Innovation Hub," one of the prominent landmarks in Al Sufouh. This will support the area’s growing cooling requirements while ensuring the delivery of sustainable, highly efficient cooling services across a diverse range of sectors.

The plant will also incorporate the latest district cooling technologies, including thermal energy storage (TES) and the use of treated sewage effluent (TSE).  This will help protect natural resources, enhance energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and support the UAE’s and Dubai’s climate neutrality objectives.

This new plant further represents an extension of Empower’s efforts to develop advanced district cooling infrastructure that plays a pivotal role in supporting sustainable urban development. By delivering highly efficient cooling solutions that reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, these facilities support Dubai’s ongoing expansion of sustainable buildings and align with the UAE’s objectives of achieving net zero and advancing the green economy.

“Thanks to the vision and guidance of its wise leadership, Dubai continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s most sustainable and attractive destinations for investment. This is achieved by developing advanced infrastructure capable of supporting rapid urban and economic growth, while providing an integrated environment that enhances quality of life and reinforces the emirate’s competitiveness. Investment in sustainable infrastructure remains a key pillar of Dubai’s comprehensive development agenda and its ambition to serve as a global model for smart and sustainable cities,” said H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower.

“Guided by this approach, Empower continues to implement its expansion strategy through a proactive vision focused on anticipating future needs by constructing new plants, expanding cooling capacity, and developing its infrastructure to keep pace with the rapid development taking place across Dubai. We remain committed to ensuring that all our projects are designed in accordance with the highest international standards of operational efficiency, sustainability, and reliability, enabling us to deliver dependable district cooling services that meet our customers’ long-term needs,” he added.

“The Al Sufouh 2 plant project represents a new strategic milestone in the company’s growth journey and reflects our continued commitment to investing in district cooling systems as one of the most efficient cooling technologies available. We are also committed to incorporating the latest innovations and technologies across our facilities, contributing to improved energy and water efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, support for green building standards, and the advancement of the UAE’s net zero and green economy objectives,” he concluded.