Empower, the largest provider of district cooling services globally, marked World Refrigeration Day on June 26 with a series of events aimed at raising public awareness about the significance of district cooling and its crucial role in enhancing quality of life and providing a comfortable, sustainable environment for communities.
Empower is a key partner in the United Nations Environment Program’s Global Initiative on District Energy in Cities and the Cooling Coalition, a worldwide network that includes a diverse range of stakeholders such as governments, cities, international organizations, businesses, financial institutions, academia, and civil society groups. This initiative focuses on facilitating knowledge exchange and promoting collaborative efforts to accelerate the global shift toward effective and environmentally-friendly cooling solutions.
Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower, stated: “Cooling is no longer just a luxury; it is a fundamental component of building a sustainable and healthy future. At Empower, we believe that adopting smart and eco-friendly district cooling solutions is essential for ensuring individual comfort and protecting our planet. Given the rapid climate changes, we must continuously innovate and focus on efficiency and emissions reduction to achieve a balance between environmental and economic development.”
Bin Shafar highlighted Dubai’s leadership in this area, as the city ranks among the top global producers of district cooling energy, including Empower, which was established in 2003 and quickly became the largest in the world within a decade. The company has received international recognition for its significant role in shaping sustainable urban living. It has gained global attention by integrating artificial intelligence into its operations and has systems that outperform traditional cooling solutions by 50%. Empower is also committed to fostering environmental awareness among UAE residents about the importance of leading a conscious and responsible lifestyle to ensure resource sustainability for future generations. This aligns with Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, which aims to transform the emirate into a global hub for clean energy and a green economy, while enhancing its status as the world’s city with the lowest carbon footprint.