IDEA International District Cooling Conference to shed light on global challenges facing global district cooling industry

IDEA International District Cooling Conference to shed light on global challenges facing global district cooling industry

H.E Bin Shafar: “Dubai is a model of successful migration to district cooling systems”

Dubai, UAE, 11 November 2014: H.E Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), announced that the 2014 IDEA International District Cooling Conference to be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline & Group, will discuss major strategic and operational challenges facing the district cooling industry in the world.

H.E Bin Shafar hailed Dubai as a model of successful migration to district cooling, as an alternative to conventional cooling, which has helped the Emirate achieve remarkable savings in energy and electricity consumption.

The global conference, which will be held from December 14 to 16 at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, will be attended by over 600 international experts.

H.E Bin Shafar continued: “The UAE is lending strong support to the global district cooling sector and Empower takes great pride to be contributing to the implementation of the UAE’s vision in the area of district cooling. Our hard work is reflected in achievements by hosting this global conference in Dubai as hosting a conference of this scale is a clear evidence of the international vote of confidence gained by us within a short period. Empower is proud to enjoy the status of the largest district cooling company in the world.”

H.E Bin Shafar stressed that Empower works according to the guidelines of the National Innovation Strategy 2014 launched by H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai as part of the UAE Vision 2021.

Speaking about Dubai’s credentials in hosting high-caliber international events, H.E Bin Shafar said that the Emirate has emerged as a key city in the world for hosting energy related events. In recent past in 2012, it hosted the World Energy Forum, held for the first time out the UN’s New York’s headquarters, which was attended by some prominent heads of states.

The 6^th conference and the companion exhibition will run for three days, with a welcome reception for business partners.

On Monday (December 15, 2014), Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower, will deliver the opening address, followed by two Panel Discussions on “District Cooling Infrastructure for Cleaner Energy and Greener Cities” and “District Cooling as a Sustainable Urban Solution”. It will include a panel on correlation of water and energy that will highlight the growing limitations on water and energy resources.

Four other sessions will be held on the same day -- “The Customer as a Partner” which will deal with the customer as a partner for long term business health; “Technology Innovations & Solutions”, a series of presentations covering technology innovations in cooling systems and components; “Large Scale Cooling Projects & Thermal Energy Storage”, featuring case studies of cooling projects from across globe and the region; and the second part of ‘Technology Innovations & Solutions.

The concluding day will include 5 sessions in addition to technical tours and overview. The sessions will be on “Large Scale Cooling Projects & Thermal Energy Storage (contd.)”; “Planning, Development & Implementation of Cooling Projects” covering the life cycle of cooling projects from planning to implementation; “Sustainability, Compliance & Regulation” addressing social, economic and energy benefits of district cooling; “Operations, Maintenance , System Efficiency & Optimization & Staffing” showcasing best practices and operational strategies for optimizing system performance and efficient distribution; and a final session entitled “Economic Drivers, Business Development & Financing for District Cooling Infrastructure”, that will explore the economic drivers and key aspects of business development leading to building successful financing and deployment of district cooling infrastructure.

The conference will conclude with a Technical Tour Overview to Empower Business Bay Plant and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Plant.

Empower asserts that district cooling technology is ideal solution to preserve environment

On the occasion of the World Environment Day 2012:

Empower asserts that district cooling technology is ideal solution to preserve environment

Dubai, UAE, 5th June 2012: On the occasion of the World Environment Day (WED) 2012, Emirates Central Cooling Corporation (Empower), the largest district cooling service provider in the region, has urged private and public sector entities as well as the community organizations to make preservation of environment a top priority.

Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower, said: Preserving environment is a critical necessity, not a luxury that we can do without. Environmental degradation is the biggest challenge that is threatening the world today, and this is reflected in the drastic climate change we are witnessing today.”

Bin Shafar added that district cooling services is at the forefront of cooling solutions that ensures sustainability and conserves energy resources.

Empower is guided by the directive of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to conserve the environmental resources in the Emirate of Dubai. Empower provides district cooling systems as an alternative to the conventional AC systems. Its solutions lead to energy saving and environmental conservation, while at the same time lowering operations and maintenance costs.

Empower serves a range of large-scale real estate projects in Dubai. The company is looking at diversifying its services and products of efficient energy systems it provides to its customers.

Bin Shafar added that Empower has succeeded in increasing the footprint of usage of district cooling in Dubai though widening its use in residential, commercial, offices and hotels.

Empower tops the list of companies providing district cooling service in the region. The company adopts a clear strategy to preserve environment through aggressively disseminating district cooling technology and conducting campaigns to highlight its strategic value to the individuals as well as the wider society.

Empower re-certified for firm commitment to Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental (QHSE) performance

Empower re-certified for firm commitment to Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental (QHSE) performance

Companies that compromise on QHSE standards will be left behind, says Empower CEO

Dubai, UAE, 21 March, 2010: Emirates Central Cooling Corporation (Empower), the largest district cooling service provider in the region, has been re-certified with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001and Bureau VERITAS certifications.

The coveted recognition comes in the wake of the company's success in enhancing district cooling usage amongst real estate developers in Dubai as an alternative to the conventional AC systems, leading to energy saving and environment conservation, as well as lower operational and maintenance costs.

While accepting the recognition, the company reiterated its core values of quality and safety, and cautioned industry peers in the region against compromising on Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental (QHSE) parameters as such attitude will leave them behind.

Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower, said: “Since inception, Empower was well aware that QHSE parameters hold the key to growth. ISO 9001 quality management systems have been responsible for continuous improvements in our systems and processes. Thereafter, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certifications helped us integrate QHSE policies.”

Empower, a joint venture between TECOM Investments and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), is aggressively continuing its growth in 2010 with Dubai’s vision to set the pace for sustainable buildings. Dubai is the only city in the world where all new developments are required to adopt green building practices.

Bin Shafar said: “We are delighted to be assessed by Bureau Veritas which re-certified us for ISO 9001for our Quality standard and ISO 14001 for Environmental standard, OHSAS 18001 for Occupational health and safety standard and Bureau Veritas Certification which offers the possibility of integrated certification services (quality, health & safety, environment, social responsibility) and generate audit efficiency, consistency and optimization.”

Bin Shafar added: “Boosted by these certifications, our customers can expect the safest, healthiest and most environmental-friendly solutions. Our commitment to QHSE excellence will further enhance our standing as the largest district cooling service provider in the region.”
DCS Organizations in the world are increasingly concerned about achieving and demonstrating sound occupational health and safety performance by improving the beneficial effects of their activities, products and services. Increasingly, stringent legislation, development of economic policies, human resources management and other measures are used to foster these measures.
Empower plays an instrumental role in environment reservation and the trend for green living and energy reduction has been truly accelerated through the company’s efforts.

Empower tops the list of companies providing district cooling service in the region. It adopts a clear strategy to preserve environment through aggressively disseminating this technology and highlighting its necessity for the better of the society. The company provides district cooling service to a number of projects in Dubai, including Dubai International Financial Center, Dubai Healthcare City, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Culture City, Business Bay and City Of Arabia.