In December, the International District Energy Association (IDEA) and the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence (DCCE) jointly recognized the aggregate carbon emissions reduction savings of seven district cooling companies in the Middle East with a special Group Carbon Champion Award as part of the DistrictCooling2018: Efficient Energy for Smarter Citiesconference in Dubai, December 9-11, 2018.
District cooling is recognized as a proven and strategic climate solution for cities, especially for cities located in warmer climates facing population growth. The district cooling industry in the Middle East region has played a vital role in increasing energy efficiency, enhancing water conservation and reducing regional emissions of CO2. According to research by IDEA and reviewed by Dubai Carbon Centre for Excellence, in 2018 these seven providers displaced over 2,000,000 total metric tonnes of carbon emissions, the equivalent of removing 430,000 cars from the road.
The International District Energy Association is pleased to partner with Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence to highlight the combined efforts of the District Cooling industry in the Middle East for their contributions and advancement of climate solutions. “On behalf of 2,400 IDEA members worldwide, it’s our pleasure to recognize these seven IDEA member systems in the Middle East for demonstrating how highly efficient district cooling systems can make a substantial contribution to cutting regional carbon emissions”, says Robert Thornton, President & CEO of IDEA. “In cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where nearly 70% of the electricity produced annually is used in buildings for air conditioning, district cooling networks are key to reducing strain on the grid, integrating thermal storage, and dramatically increasing the efficiency of chilled water production and distribution in delivery of vital air conditioning for growing economies.”
“The Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence is pleased to once again recognize the carbon emissions reductions achieved by members of IDEA in providing district cooling services in Dubai and beyond” says Dr. Pablo Izquierdo Lopez, PMO Director at Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence. “When we evaluate the collective impact of the district cooling industry across the Middle East region, the aggregate impact is substantial, displacing 2,000,000 metric tonnes in 2018, equivalent to removing 430,000 cars from the road. District cooling is an important environmental strategy for cities in this region and across developing economies.”
The award was accepted by Mr. Fares Ahmad on behalf of Emaar District Cooling, Mr. Jeremy Bayart on behalf of Emicool, Mr. Ahmad Bin Shafar on behalf of Empower, Mr. Laith Bani Hani on behalf of Jordan District Energy, Mr. Muhammad Zafar on behalf of PAL Cooling Holding LLC, Mr. Abdulsalam Almobayed on behalf of Saudi Tabreed, and Mr. Francois-Xavier Boul on behalf of Tabreed.
As a group, these seven companies avoided over 2,000,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2018 by utilizing efficient district cooling. The emissions savings have doubled compared to IDEA’s DistrictCooling2016 Group Carbon Champion Award which recognized over 1,000,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions avoided by the district cooling industry in the Middle East.
The city of Dubai is taking significant steps towards achieving low carbon goals and making the city more sustainable. The Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, aims to transform Dubai into an international hub for clean energy and the green economy. Likewise, the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy is working towards implementation of the Demand Side Management strategy, which features nine programs including a planned 40% increase in district cooling capacity by 2030 to contribute to the sustainable development of Dubai.