Sign in
ENERGY-
#1- Emirates Central Cooling Systems (Empower) will develop a second district cooling plant with a capacity of 37k refrigeration tons (RT) in Jumeirah, according to a press release (pdf). The UAE firm awarded a contract for the design of the plant and construction is expected to kick off in 1Q 2025.
What we know: The new facility will service residential and commercial areas, hotels, and other facilities within the 802 hectare Jumeirah Village development, the statement notes. Empower’s first 49k refrigeration tons (RT) Jumeirah plant serves 114 buildings. The company awarded several contracts for the development of a first district cooling plant in October 2023.
Part of a bigger plan for Jumeirah Village: Empower intends to establish a total of six district cooling plants to produce a total of 256k RT, the statement notes.
#2- Tabreed eligible for carbon trading with Verified Carbon Standard certification: UAE district cooling firm Tabreed has received the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) for one of its Abu Dhabi plants from US-based voluntary carbon credit certification body Verra, making it eligible for carbon trading, according to a press release. Verra conducted a year-long assessment of the facility to determine whether its operations bring environmental benefits, determining that the facility has a capacity of 28k refrigeration tonnes and cuts 19k tons of emissions reductions per annum.
A first for district cooling: Tabreed can now trade voluntary carbon credits as an “emissions preventer” marking the first time a district cooling company has earned the title. Tabreed can now apply for the same methodology that earned its verification to other facilities within its portfolio.
#3- RAKPA inks agreement with energy ministry to advance sustainable energy efforts: Ras Al Khaimah Petroleum Authority (RAKPA) inked an MoU with the Energy and Infrastructure Ministry for collaboration on the transition to sustainable energy, according to a ministry statement. The agreement will see them cooperate on sharing geological and hydrogeological data, researching natural hydrogen, exploring carbon capture through mineralization, and assessing geothermal energy potential in Ras Al Khaimah and the UAE.
REAL ESTATE-
Azizi Developments + Danfoss partner across various Dubai projects: UAE’s private developer Azizi Developments tapped heating and cooling systems provider Danfoss,for the supply of BTU meters, which measure heating and cooling systems’ energy generation, according to a press release. The BTU meters will be used across Azizi’s projects in Dubai, including Azizi Venice, Riviera, Azizi Vista, Azizi Central, Azizi Grand, and Creek Views III. The exact number of BTUs expected to be delivered and the value of the agreement were not disclosed.
BUSINESS-
#1- DMCC, Bogota chamber sign MoU: The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) inked an MoU with the Bogota Chamber of Commerce to enhance economic information exchange and business growth through targeted support and event promotion, according to a Dubai Media Office statement.
This move coincides with a 21% increase in Colombian companies joining DMCC this year, bringing the total to 23. DMCC is now home to over 150 companies from across South America. DMCC’s also recently held a Made For Trade Live roadshow in Colombia, which encouraged businesses to expand to Dubai.
#2- Dubai World Trade Center’s event management unit DXB Live will open a new office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this year, with plans to expand further in the GCC, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East, Wam quotes Senior Vice President Khalid Al Hammadi as saying. In 1H 2024, DXB Live organized events in countries including Egypt, Morocco, the US, Germany, and China.
STARTUPS-
Google Cloud will offer mentorship to startups in Dubai International Financial Center’s AI cluster Dubai AI Campus under a new partnership between the two, according to a press release. Google Cloud will offer programs like the Gen AI Startup School and Google for Startups Cloud Program to support early-stage startups with their use of Google Cloud.
TELECOMS-
du, Paltel to streamline UAE-Palestine connectivity: Telecom company du and the Palestine Telecommunications Company (Paltel) inked an agreement to establish an express link between the UAE and Palestine in a bid to improve internet connectivity and speed, according to a press release picked up by Zawya.
