Empower posts 9.4% jump in July peak consumption

Empower, the world's largest district cooling services provider, yesterday announced a 9.4% leap for consumption of its services for the month of July, providing a total of 174.3 million refrigerating tonnes per hour (RTH), up from 159.2 million RTH for the same period last year.
"The month of July is usually the time of year that Empower experiences the highest demand for cooling services," said Ahmad bin Shafar, Chief Executive Officer, Empower. "We have been able to meet the demand of an expanding customer base because of the strategic nature of our networks and the hard work of our team." In January 2014, Empower acquired Palm District Cooling, leading the company to more than double its portfolio from 400,000 refrigeration tons (RT) of district cooling capacity, to one million tons RT.
The company's enlarged portfolio has contributed to the rise in peak consumption; however, Shafar attributes the rise in district cooling consumption to a surge in residential and commercial occupancy. For the month of July, Empower's networks tracked a 10.2% increase in consumption in residential developments like Jumeirah Beach Residence, the Discovery Gardens, Mirdiff among others, as well as a 7.2% rise in occupancy for commercial buildings in DIFC, Dubai Healthcare City and Business Bay.
"This is an important indicator for the economic health of Dubai," concluded Bin Shafar. "What we are witnessing is that this season is no longer period of low business activity with companies continuing their operations through the hotter months, people are choosing to spend their summer in the city." Empower is currently building its third district cooling plant in Dubai's Business Bay neighbourhood. The plant will consist of a 45,000 RT capacity and is expected to be complete in the middle of 2015.