Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) is accelerating the expansion of its district cooling infrastructure across Dubai, reinforcing the emirate's standing as a global benchmark in sustainable urban energy systems.
Speaking at a recent webinar hosted by the UN Environment Programme's Cool Coalition, Empower CEO H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar described district cooling as an increasingly vital response to extreme heat, urban heat islands, and mounting pressure on power grids.
"Dubai has cemented its position as a global benchmark for advanced district cooling infrastructure, guided by the forward-looking vision of our wise leadership,"
he said.
The company currently operates 90 district cooling plants and more than 430 kilometres of underground distribution pipelines across Dubai. From a starting capacity of 5,400 refrigeration tons (RT) in 2004, Empower has grown into the world's largest district cooling services provider, now operating at a total connected capacity of 1.7 million RT and serving approximately 160,000 customers across 1,776 buildings.
Expansion is ongoing on multiple fronts. In the first quarter of 2026, Empower added 33,500 RT to its connected capacity. A fifth district cooling plant in Business Bay, with an expected capacity of 44,000 RT, has entered the design phase. Additional projects are underway in Al Sufouh 2 (23,400 RT), Jumeirah Village (37,000 RT) and Dubai Science Park, which will serve around 80 buildings at up to 47,000 RT.
In 2025, Empower brought its Deira Waterfront plant online at 39,000 RT, serving more than 46 buildings.
The company says its modular, scalable development model is designed to keep pace with Dubai's rapid urban and population growth while supporting the emirate's broader energy efficiency and sustainability goals.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
