Dubai-based Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) has achieved total electricity savings of 1,072 MW in 2017, valued at Dh2.8 billion ($762 million).

District cooling saves approximately 50 per cent of power used for cooling, compared to conventional cooling systems, according to a study conducted by the United Nations Energy Efficiency Initiatives, reported Emirates news agency Wam.

This makes district cooling one of the top energy-efficient and energy-saving accelerators in the world.

Empower CEO Ahmad bin Shafar said: "Due to our responsibility as a leading government company, we are committed to the conservation of natural resources. We continuously invest and innovate in the modernisation and development of district cooling technologies, according to the best international practices.

“This reduces energy consumption and provides more eco-friendly and efficient district cooling services in the region. This also supports the directives of the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to reduce electricity and water consumption by 30 per cent, and transform Dubai into a global hub for green economy, while being the city with the lowest carbon footprint, by 2050."

"Empower is making a major shift in its corporate social responsibility, CSR, by moving from being district cooling services provider, to launching and implementing CSR initiatives and programmes to rationalise and conserve the consumption of energy resources. This contributes to sustainable development, and helps reducing carbon emissions, so as to support the UAE’s efforts in becoming one of the leading countries in the world. So, we launched a four-month summer campaign called ‘Smile at 24 degrees'. The campaign achieved 5.4 per cent energy savings in district cooling energy consumption," he added.

Empower introduced an online calculator on its website to helps its customers monitor and plan their district cooling consumption, helping them reduce consumption and achieve significant savings.