INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Green Technology
Bee’ah and Tabreed join forces
to develop district cooling
projects in Sharjah
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The partnership will see both partners working towards a more
energy-efficient future for Sharjah and delivering the first district
cooling solutions for the Emirate.
B
ee’ah, a leading Middle East
sustainability pioneer, and the National
Central Cooling Company (Tabreed),
a leading international district cooling
developer based in the UAE, have signed a
partnership agreement to jointly explore the
development of large-scale district cooling
projects in the Emirate of Sharjah.
The partnership was signed by Khaled Al
Huraimel, Group CEO of Bee’ah, and Bader
Saeed Al Lamki, CEO of Tabreed. Under the
agreement, Bee’ah and Tabreed will develop
potential district cooling projects at locations
across Sharjah. District cooling is more
environmentally friendly and cost-efficient
than traditional space cooling methods and
is in line with Bee’ah’s vision to drive a more
sustainable quality of life.
Commenting on the agreement, Bee’ah’s
Al Huraimel said: “Bee’ah has made
Bee’ah and Tabreed have signed an
agreement to explore the development of
large-scale district cooling projects in Sharjah
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INTELLIGENTCIO
significant investments in sustainability
and infrastructure in Sharjah to date.
Our partnership with Tabreed is a further
illustration of our continued commitment
to seek new solutions that are more
sustainable and cost-competitive. The UAE
faces extreme weather conditions, especially
during summer, but through new district
cooling projects, we hope to tackle this issue
through more energy-efficient measures.”
Bader Al Lamki, Tabreed’s Chief Executive
Officer, said: “We are pleased to be partnering
with Bee’ah to explore opportunities to
bring reliable, sustainable and cost-efficient
district cooling solutions to the Emirate of
Sharjah. Our strong core business, innovative
technology, experienced team and structuring
capabilities have made Tabreed the partner
of choice, and we look forward to contributing
to the continued growth and long-term
sustainability of the Emirate.”
District cooling is a key part of the district
energy systems that are the foundation
of sustainable, economic and urban
development. Ideal for large-scale, high
density developments such as downtown
business districts, airports, university
campuses, residential towers and
commercial establishments.
District cooling relies on a centralised cooling
plant that provides cooling to buildings within
its grid. The plant supplies chilled water via
insulated underground piping networks to a
cluster of buildings in a service area or district.
Energy Transfer Stations (ETS) then utilises
the chilled water to force cold air inside the
buildings to produce an air-conditioned
environment with warm water then
returning to the plant to be re-chilled and
redistributed. In some cases, plants use
nearby sea water instead of potable water,
leading to further environmental benefits
and water savings.
District cooling is highly efficient and
cost-effective, providing cost savings from
building operations and maintenance
to reduce energy consumption, while
still efficiently delivering on cooling
requirements. The collaboration is designed
to increase the use of this energy-efficient
district cooling solution among some of the
largest projects in Sharjah.
Space cooling represents up to 70% of
electricity consumption at peak times
in hotter countries such as the UAE. The
International Energy Agency estimates
that the energy used by such cooling will
more than triple by 2050. With 60 to 80%
less energy consumption than the average
conventional cooling systems, centralised
district cooling will play a major role in
tackling this global challenge. n
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