The Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (EMPOWER) achieved record saving of 263 million imperial gallons of fresh water in 2015, enough to fill 478 Olympic swimming pools.

This was achieved despite the higher demand for District Cooling services in Dubai, in which Empower occupies a share of 70%. "This comes in the framework of the company’s keenness to preserve water resources in Dubai, and adherence to the national strategy for sustainable development of water resources," according to Ahmad Bin Shafar, Chief Executive Officer of Empower.

"Empower follows the directives of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in saving natural resources," said Bin Shafar, adding, "Empower succeeded in achieving record water saving in 2015, thanks to the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, stipulated that district cooling companies must opt for sea water, grey water or Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) as opposed to desalinated water."

Many years ago, Empower replaced fresh water with TSE in its District Cooling operations, understanding its high environmental benefits. The technology was awarded International District Energy Association's (IDEA) first Innovation Award in 2013. "We follow strict green standards, where the use of TSE contributes to saving natural resources in Dubai," said Bin Shafar.

"Empower follows strict criteria and develops advanced techniques that enable us to re-use treated water repeatedly, which saves millions of gallons of water. We use TSE water in our tanks at the plants, which is further treated to produce chilled water several times. Empower boasts a network of insulated pipes to transport chilled water to the buildings where warm water returns to Empower’s plant rooms to be re-chilled. Empower makes great strides in minimising its water footprint where all our cooling plants follow these international standards," he added.

Source :WAM