Empower to Design 47,000 RT District Cooling Plant at Dubai Science Park, Integrating TES, TSE and AI; Construction Set for Q1 2026
Empower, a leading district cooling services provider, has signed a contract to design a new district cooling plant at Dubai Science Park with a capacity of 47,000 Refrigeration Tonnes (RT), slated to serve around 80 mixed-use buildings. The project marks a significant expansion in Empower’s footprint as construction is planned to begin by the end of the first quarter of 2026. The plant will incorporate Empower’s award-winning technologies, including thermal energy storage (TES) to reduce peak demand and treated sewage effluent (TSE) systems to cut freshwater use, alongside artificial intelligence and other advanced solutions to maximize efficiency and sustainability. Empower currently commands over 80% of Dubai’s district cooling market, and this installation forms a core component of its broader growth strategy to meet Dubai’s rising demand for sustainable cooling solutions. Dubai Science Park, the region’s first free zone dedicated to the science sector, hosts hundreds of companies and thousands of professionals, and this project reinforces its role as an innovation hub for enterprises engaged in scientific research and development across residential, commercial, and research facilities.
Project Overview and Strategic Context
The contract to design the new district cooling plant at Dubai Science Park signals a strategic milestone in Empower’s ongoing expansion within Dubai’s fast-evolving cooling sector. The facility is planned to deliver a total production capacity of 47,000 RT, a substantial increase in cooling capacity designed to support a concentrated community of nearly 80 mixed-use buildings. This scale underscores the importance of reliable and energy-efficient cooling infrastructure to support the park’s diverse activities, which span residential living, commercial operations, and advanced research facilities. The project aligns with Empower’s reputation for delivering robust, scalable cooling solutions that can adapt to evolving urban needs and the demands of a modern, knowledge-based economy.
Dubai Science Park’s status as the region’s first free zone dedicated to the science sector adds a distinctive layer of significance to this development. By housing hundreds of companies and more than 3,000 specialized professionals, the park serves as a magnet for innovation, collaboration, and cross-disciplinary venture activity. The cooling plant’s integration within this ecosystem is designed to support a high concentration of energy-intensive activities typical of science and technology campuses, where efficient climate control is essential to maintain specialized laboratories, data centers, and research facilities. The project’s timing, with construction scheduled to commence by late Q1 2026, reflects a broader timeline for upgrading the city’s cooling network to manage anticipated growth in demand while maintaining high standards of energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.
In the context of Empower’s broader architecture, the Dubai Science Park project is a key node in a network of district cooling plants that collectively enable the company to deliver reliable, energy-efficient, and cost-effective cooling across the city. Empower’s market leadership—capturing more than 80 percent of Dubai’s district cooling market—serves as a foundation for deploying new plants that leverage cutting-edge technology and optimized operational practices. As part of its expansion plans, this facility is positioned to strengthen Empower’s portfolio by extending its reach into strategically important districts that combine residential, commercial, and scientific research activities. The project’s success is expected to reinforce the city’s cooling resilience and support the district’s long-term energy strategy by providing a scalable solution that can cope with increasing heat loads and complex usage patterns.
This initiative also reflects a broader strategic objective for Dubai to become a global hub for the green economy while pursuing a sustainable city model with a reduced carbon footprint. The project’s design emphasizes sustainability and efficiency, with a focus on minimizing environmental impact while maximizing operational reliability. For Empower, the design phase is a critical step toward delivering a facility that can operate in harmony with the city’s energy network, accommodate future upgrades, and provide predictable, high-quality cooling service to a diverse mix of tenants and facilities at Dubai Science Park. The broader strategic context includes aligning with Dubai’s vision for sustainable growth, ensuring resilience in climate-sensitive sectors, and reinforcing the city’s reputation as a benchmark for environmentally responsible urban development.
In practical terms, the plant’s configuration and integration will be guided by the need to balance peak-load management with continuous, dependable cooling supply. The design team will need to coordinate closely with Dubai’s power and water infrastructure planning to ensure that the plant can deliver on its capacity while optimizing energy use, water conservation, and grid stability. The project’s scope also implies alignment with Empower’s ongoing commitments to innovation, sustainability, and continuous development, as articulated by company leadership and in line with the directives of senior Dubai leadership encouraging reduced electricity and water consumption and positioning Dubai as a leader in green development by 2050.
Technology and Innovation: TES, TSE, AI, and Beyond
Central to Empower’s approach for the Dubai Science Park plant is the integration of its award-winning technologies and cutting-edge solutions intended to maximize efficiency and sustainability. The facility will incorporate thermal energy storage (TES) systems designed to flatten peak electricity demand by shifting cooling loads to off-peak periods. This capability has a direct impact on grid stability, as it lowers the instantaneous demand on power supply during hottest times of the day, when cooling requirements are at their peak. TES also enables better utilization of available generation capacity, often allowing for more cost-effective operation and the potential to reduce overall energy costs for end users in the park.
A further cornerstone of the project is the use of treated sewage effluent (TSE) systems, which significantly reduce freshwater consumption in the cooling process. By utilizing non-potable water sources, the plant minimizes its impact on local water resources, an important consideration in arid environments where water scarcity can be a constraint on growth and sustainability. The TSE approach supports a more resilient and sustainable cooling solution, enabling the park’s facilities to maintain comfortable conditions for occupants while preserving essential freshwater supplies for other uses.
In addition to TES and TSE, Empower’s project plan includes the deployment of artificial intelligence applications and other advanced solutions to maximize efficiency, reliability, and environmental performance. AI can support smarter control of cooling operations, optimize energy use in real time, and enhance predictive maintenance, contributing to longer equipment life, fewer unplanned outages, and a more stable service for tenants. The combination of energy storage, water reuse, and intelligent control forms part of Empower’s strategy to deliver high-quality, sustainable cooling while reducing the environmental footprint of cooling operations in a high-demand urban setting. The integration of these technologies is intended not only to meet current needs but also to future-proof the system against evolving usage patterns and climate conditions.
The plant’s design philosophy emphasizes not only the technical performance of cooling equipment but also the broader sustainability and resilience objectives. By embedding TES, TSE, and AI-driven optimization, the facility aims to deliver reliable cooling with minimized energy intensity, lower peak loads, and reduced freshwater usage. The intended outcome is a demonstrable improvement in overall energy efficiency and a reduction in operational footprint, aligning with Dubai’s ambitions for greener infrastructure and a more sustainable urban environment. The project is thus positioned as a model for how district cooling can incorporate advanced technologies to deliver scalable, durable, and environmentally responsible cooling solutions for mixed-use developments.
From a project management perspective, the design phase will entail comprehensive integration of these technologies with the existing utility and building systems in Dubai Science Park. The engineers, planners, and technology specialists involved will need to address interoperability with the campus’s electrical and mechanical infrastructure, ensuring seamless transitions between storage, cooling generation, and distribution networks. Attention to system reliability, fault tolerance, and maintainability will be crucial to delivering sustained performance across all residential, commercial, and research facilities serviced by the plant. The outcome will be a facility that not only meets current cooling demands but also remains adaptable to future capacity expansions or shifts in demand patterns driven by research activities, industry trends, and occupancy changes within the park.
The adoption of such technologies also has broader implications for the cooling sector in Dubai and the region. As more facilities embrace TES, TSE, and AI-driven optimization, the overall energy efficiency and water stewardship in urban cooling networks are likely to improve. Empower’s leadership emphasizes that these innovations are central to the company’s expansion strategy and underline its commitment to sustainable growth, continuous improvement, and the use of the latest technologies to deliver high-quality services. The Dubai Science Park project thus represents a convergence of cutting-edge cooling technology with a forward-looking urban development framework, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a hub for innovation and sustainable industry.
Market Position, Growth Strategy, and Ecosystem Impact
Empower’s market dominance in Dubai, marked by more than 80 percent market share in the district cooling sector, sets a high bar for expansion and service quality. The Dubai Science Park project adds to Empower’s portfolio by extending its reach into a critical area of the city that combines science, business, and education with high cooling requirements. The company’s strategic approach is underscored by a commitment to sustainable growth and the deployment of modern, energy-efficient solutions that align with municipal and national objectives for a greener economy and lower carbon footprint.
The plant’s capacity, at 47,000 RT, represents a meaningful addition to Empower’s existing fleet, contributing to a broader objective to meet Dubai’s rising demand for reliable and sustainable cooling. With Empower already operating 88 district cooling plants across Dubai, the new project enhances the company’s capability to deliver consistent service and leverage economies of scale. The expansion is framed within a strategic framework that prioritizes sustainability, innovation, and continuous development, all guided by the directives of leading figures in the UAE to reduce electricity and water consumption and to position Dubai as a global leader in environmental stewardship by 2050. This alignment indicates a long-term commitment to infrastructure that supports a low-carbon future and a resilient, climate-aware urban economy.
From a strategic perspective, the project helps reinforce Empower’s position as the world’s largest district cooling services provider. The company’s emphasis on expanding its footprint with state-of-the-art plants serves both operational and reputational objectives. Operationally, more plants increase capacity to meet anticipated demand growth in Dubai’s climate-sensitive market, while reputationally, the ability to deliver high-performance, sustainable cooling strengthens partnerships with tenants, developers, and regulatory bodies. The expansion also supports Dubai’s aim to attract science-driven businesses and researchers by providing climate-controlled environments that support advanced research and development activities and the operation of high-technology facilities within Dubai Science Park.
The project integrates into Empower’s broader growth strategy, which includes developing plants equipped with the latest technologies and adopting sustainability-driven practices as a central tenet of daily operations. The leadership’s statements emphasize the role of innovation and sustainable development as core priorities, illustrating how Empower’s expansion aligns with national and city-wide visions for energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. The new facility stands as a tangible example of how a district cooling operator can contribute to urban growth while maintaining a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and the reduction of resource consumption.
An important dimension of the project’s ecosystem impact is its support for end-user experiences within Dubai Science Park. By providing robust, reliable cooling to a mix of residential, commercial, and research facilities, the plant helps maintain comfortable environments, protect sensitive research equipment, and enable smooth daily operations. The system’s capacity to manage peak loads efficiently translates into fewer disruptions, improved occupant comfort, and potential cost savings for tenants and facility managers. In addition, the project’s emphasis on TES and AI-based optimization contributes to a more resilient, adaptable cooling network that can respond to changing occupancy patterns and climate conditions with minimal performance compromise. The broader implication is a more stable and sustainable urban ecosystem that supports the park’s role as a magnet for innovation and collaboration.
The strategic significance of the Dubai Science Park project extends beyond its immediate technical specifications. It signals a continuing commitment to building a diversified, technologically advanced energy infrastructure capable of supporting a dynamic, knowledge-based economy. The plant’s integration with the park’s phased development and the surrounding district’s growth trajectory suggests a careful alignment of energy infrastructure planning with urban development plans. Empower’s leadership highlighted that the project embodies a strategic framework centered on sustainability, innovation, and continuous development, reinforced by the city’s leadership’s directives. This alignment positions Empower to contribute meaningfully to Dubai’s environmental and developmental objectives, while also showcasing the potential for district cooling solutions to support a broad spectrum of urban innovations.
In summary, the Dubai Science Park project is a critical node in Empower’s expansive growth strategy, designed to deliver substantial cooling capacity while integrating advanced technologies that maximize energy efficiency, water conservation, and operational reliability. The initiative supports Empower’s leadership’s authoritative stance on sustainable expansion and reflects Dubai’s broader ambitions to become a global hub for the green economy with a reduced carbon footprint by 2050. The project’s success will likely influence future developments in district cooling across the region, encouraging more adopters to pursue similar technologies, scalable approaches, and sustainable practices in urban cooling networks.
Environmental, Economic, and Community Impacts
The new district cooling plant at Dubai Science Park is designed to deliver environmental benefits through a combination of reduced peak electricity demand, decreased freshwater usage, and the integration of cutting-edge management technologies. The TES component of the system is intended to smooth out the fluctuations in cooling demand by temporally shifting energy use from peak periods to off-peak times, thereby reducing strain on the electrical grid and potentially lowering energy costs for end users. This approach supports Dubai’s energy management objectives by promoting more efficient use of generation capacity and facilitating more predictable load profiles for the city’s power network. The resulting improvements in grid efficiency can contribute to greater energy security and resilience in the face of rising demand and extreme weather events commonly associated with high-temperature periods.
The adoption of TSE for cooling operations represents a meaningful step toward water resource stewardship. By reusing treated wastewater rather than relying on freshwater for cooling needs, Empower’s Dubai Science Park project helps conserve precious water resources. This not only reduces the facility’s demand on local water supplies but also aligns with broader water management strategies in arid urban environments where water scarcity can threaten long-term sustainability. The project’s emphasis on water reuse is an important element of a comprehensive environmental strategy aimed at balancing development with responsible resource management.
Artificial intelligence and related advanced solutions are expected to play a central role in maximizing the system’s efficiency and performance. AI-enabled controls can optimize energy consumption, monitor equipment health, forecast demand variations, and support proactive maintenance planning. This leads to improved reliability, reduced downtime, and longer asset life for the cooling plant and its associated infrastructure. The integrated use of AI within district cooling operations is increasingly recognized as a best practice for achieving high levels of efficiency and resilience, particularly in complex environments like Dubai Science Park where multiple building types with varied usage patterns converge.
From an economic perspective, the project has the potential to deliver downstream benefits for tenants and developers within Dubai Science Park. A stable, efficient cooling supply is a critical factor in the comfort and productivity of workers, researchers, and residents, and it can influence occupancy rates and the attractiveness of the park for future tenants and collaborations. Moreover, by leveraging TES and AI-driven optimization, the plant can contribute to operational cost savings over time, creating a more favorable total cost of ownership for facility managers and contributing to the economic viability of long-term investments in the park’s infrastructure. The project’s planned timeline, with construction starting by the end of Q1 2026, provides a clear horizon for project readiness that can support budgeting, procurement, and construction planning activities for stakeholders involved in the park’s ongoing development.
Community impact considerations include the project’s contribution to Dubai’s climate goals and its role as a demonstration project for sustainable urban infrastructure. By implementing technologies designed to reduce energy intensity and water use, Empower reinforces its contribution to a cleaner urban environment and a more sustainable industrial ecosystem. The project also signals confidence in the city’s ability to advance complex engineering projects that integrate advanced technologies with large-scale infrastructure, reinforcing the city’s status as a hub for innovation and sustainable development. The resulting cooling service is expected to support a diverse community of tenants, employees, researchers, and residents, reinforcing the park’s role as a thriving environment for science and technology activities.
The environmental strategy underpinning the project is consistent with the directives guiding Dubai’s development: to reduce electricity and water consumption while positioning the city as a global leader in the green economy. The project reflects a concerted effort to implement sustainable design principles, optimize resource use, and promote resilience across urban infrastructure. As Dubai continues to pursue ambitious environmental and economic objectives, Empower’s Dubai Science Park plant stands as a practical embodiment of how district cooling can contribute to a more sustainable future while supporting the city’s growth, competitiveness, and international standing.
Operational Excellence, Timeline, and Execution Readiness
The operational readiness of the Dubai Science Park district cooling plant hinges on careful design, scheduling, and collaboration across multiple stakeholders. The project’s primary objective is to deliver a plant with a capacity of 47,000 RT that can reliably supply a mix of residential, commercial, and research facilities within the park. Achieving this objective requires meticulous planning to ensure seamless integration with the existing energy and cooling networks, as well as robust testing and commissioning processes before full operation. The construction phase is scheduled to begin by the end of the first quarter of 2026, signaling a shared timetable that aligns engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) activities with the broader development timeline of Dubai Science Park and its tenants.
A critical consideration in execution is ensuring that the plant’s design accommodates future scalability. Although the initial capacity is substantial, urban and campus environments often experience growth, shifts in occupancy, and evolving cooling needs driven by new tenants or changes in building stock. The design team will need to contemplate modular components, flexible piping, and scalable control systems that can adapt to future demand without compromising current performance. This forward-looking approach helps minimize the risk of early obsolescence and positions Empower to respond effectively to changing market conditions.
Another operational focus is the deployment of TES and TSE in a way that integrates smoothly with the park’s existing facilities. The storage system must be configured to maximize energy savings while ensuring reliable supply during peak demand periods. The water reuse system must be designed to meet regulatory and operational standards, ensuring consistent quality and supply for the cooling process. Integrating AI-enabled controls requires robust data infrastructure and secure communication between plant equipment, sensors, and the management system. The design will consider data management, cybersecurity, and fault tolerance to support reliable, continuous operations.
Quality assurance and safety are also essential aspects of the project’s execution. The design and construction teams will implement industry best practices for safety, environmental protection, and risk management. The plant’s commissioning phase will involve rigorous testing to confirm that all subsystems—cooling generation, distribution, energy storage, water reuse, and control systems—perform as intended under various operating scenarios. The objective is to deliver a fully functional facility that meets or exceeds performance targets while maintaining a strong safety record and minimal environmental impact.
From a procurement and supply chain perspective, the project will require sourcing high-quality equipment and materials capable of delivering the required 47,000 RT capacity. The emphasis on sustainable design will likely influence the selection of components and the overall architecture of the plant. The project’s timeline will depend on the ability to secure equipment, coordinate with contractors, and manage dependencies across engineering disciplines. Maintaining a tight schedule will be essential to ensure that construction progresses on time and that commissioning activities align with the park’s development pace and tenant readiness.
In terms of governance and stakeholder engagement, the project will necessitate clear communication with Dubai Science Park management, tenants, municipal authorities, and Empower’s organizational leadership. Transparent reporting on milestones, safety performance, and environmental metrics will help build confidence among tenants and investors and demonstrate the project’s alignment with broader strategic objectives for the city’s cooling infrastructure. As part of its ongoing strategy, Empower’s leadership has emphasized a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and continuous improvement, reinforcing the importance of aligning execution with these core values.
Looking ahead, the successful delivery of the Dubai Science Park plant could serve as a blueprint for future district cooling projects in Dubai and the wider region. By combining large-scale capacity with advanced technologies aimed at energy efficiency and water conservation, Empower may establish a repeatable model for sustainable urban cooling that other developers and cities can emulate. The plant’s performance in its initial years will be closely watched by industry observers, policymakers, and potential customers who are evaluating the role of district cooling in achieving climate and urban development goals. The project’s outcomes will contribute to a broader understanding of how to balance rapid growth with responsible resource use, ensuring that coastal and desert urban environments can maintain high living standards while pursuing ambitious sustainability targets.
Leadership Vision and Strategic Implications
Empower’s leadership underscores a forward-looking approach to growth that centers on sustainability, innovation, and continuous development. The company’s strategy places sustainability at the core of its operations while leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance efficiency, reliability, and environmental performance. This dual emphasis on sustainability and innovation is designed to align Empower with the directives of leading UAE figures who advocate for reducing electricity and water consumption and positioning Dubai as a global hub for the green economy. The statements from H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower, highlight the ambition to lead with modern, technologically advanced plants and to contribute meaningfully to Dubai’s development vision for 2050, wherein the city aspires to be among the world’s lowest carbon-footprint urban centers.
This leadership stance has several strategic implications. First, it reinforces Empower’s commitment to ongoing expansion, as demonstrated by the Dubai Science Park project, which serves as a critical component of its broader growth plan to address rising demand for sustainable cooling solutions. Second, it signals the importance of integrating sustainability into every phase of project development, from design to commissioning, to ensure that new facilities deliver measurable environmental and economic benefits. Third, the emphasis on innovation suggests a preference for deploying state-of-the-art technologies and analytics to optimize operations, which can improve service quality and reduce operating costs over time.
From a regional perspective, Empower’s expansion aligns with the broader trend of upgrading energy infrastructure to support sustainable urban growth in the Middle East. The deployment of TES and TSE, together with AI-driven optimization, reflects a maturation of district cooling technologies as viable, scalable solutions for large, mixed-use communities. The Dubai Science Park project positions Empower to contribute to Dubai’s development agenda by delivering a high-capacity cooling asset that can support a diverse ecosystem of scientific, commercial, and residential activities while maintaining a lower environmental footprint than traditional cooling approaches. The leadership’s vision for sustainability and continuous improvement serves as a guiding principle for the organization’s strategic decisions, communications, and stakeholder engagement as it scales its operations and expands into new sectors and geographies.
In summary, Empower’s leadership emphasizes strategic expansion underpinned by sustainability, innovation, and continuous development. The Dubai Science Park project acts as a tangible demonstration of this approach, showcasing how a district cooling operator can combine capacity growth with advanced technology deployment to deliver high-quality, energy-efficient cooling that supports urban development and environmental objectives. The project’s success will likely influence future investments and collaborations within Dubai’s cooling ecosystem and the broader regional market, contributing to a more resilient, sustainable, and tech-enabled urban landscape.
Conclusion
The partnership between Empower and Dubai Science Park to design and deploy a 47,000 RT district cooling plant marks a pivotal advancement in Dubai’s sustainable infrastructure agenda. By integrating TES to manage peak demand, TSE to conserve freshwater resources, and AI-driven optimization for enhanced efficiency, Empower reinforces its leadership role in delivering high-performance cooling solutions to a complex, mixed-use community. The project’s scope—serving roughly 80 buildings in a premier science-focused free zone—reflects a strategic alignment of cutting-edge cooling technology with the city’s ambitions to foster innovation, reduce environmental impact, and support rapid growth in a climate-conscious urban environment.
As Empower positions itself to expand beyond its already substantial footprint in Dubai, the Dubai Science Park plant serves as a model for scalable, sustainable district cooling. The facility’s design and anticipated operation embody a forward-thinking approach that prioritizes reliability, efficiency, and resilience, while also contributing to Dubai’s broader green economy objectives and the ultimate aim of achieving a lower carbon footprint by 2050. The project underscores the city’s commitment to sustainable development, innovation, and energy efficiency, and it reinforces Empower’s role in shaping the district cooling landscape as the world’s largest provider of district cooling services.