Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), a leading district cooling services provider, has awarded the design contract for its fifth plant in Business Bay to support Dubai’s rapid urban growth and rising demand for sustainable cooling solutions.
The plant will have a production capacity of up to 44,000 refrigeration tons (RT), with construction scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026, marking a significant addition to the area’s cooling infrastructure.
It also reflects the company’s continued commitment to strengthening its district cooling network, enhancing operational efficiency, and expanding service coverage across key strategic locations throughout the emirate.
Empower’s district cooling project in Business Bay ranks among the largest district energy developments globally, with a planned ultimate capacity of 451,540 RT to serve around 325 existing and future buildings across the development and nearby areas.
The project comprises nine district cooling plants: four currently operational, two in the design phase, and a pipeline network exceeding 53 kilometers, presently delivering services to 201 buildings across Business Bay, Sheikh Zayed Road, and the Dubai Water Canal.
The new plant further expands this landmark project, which holds two Guinness World Records titles: one for the highest capacity district cooling plant (DCS) with a total connected capacity of 276,545 RT, and another for the largest cooling plant coverage by number of buildings served, currently standing at 201 buildings across residential, commercial, and hospitality sectors.
Ahmad bin Shafar CEO – Empower
“The award of the design contract for the fifth district cooling plant in Business Bay marks a continuation of Empower’s expansion strategy to meet Dubai’s rapid urban development and the growing demand for sustainable and high-efficiency district cooling solutions. This project reflects our strong commitment to supporting Dubai’s ambitious sustainability plans by delivering environmentally friendly cooling solutions that enhance energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and strengthen overall urban infrastructure performance. The Business Bay project stands as one of the world’s leading district cooling models, having secured two Guinness World Records for both cooling capacity and coverage scale, reaffirming Empower’s ability to execute mega projects in line with the highest international standards.”
HE Ahmad Bin Shafar added that, “This project embodies the alignment of our operations with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and the vision of the wise leadership to build sustainable and resilient cities that rely on smart solutions for energy and water management. Empower will continue expanding its services across strategic locations in the emirate and deploying the latest technologies in its plants and operations to reinforce Dubai’s global leadership in the district cooling sector and support its journey toward a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.”
