District Cooling Webinar Series (Part I): Evolution of DC in Gulf Cities

Educational and Scientific Laboratory of Economic Theory and Bioeconomy of the NULES of Ukraine joined the District Cooling Webinar Series (Part I): Evolution of DC in Gulf Cities

   The rising cooling demand is a pressing concern for energy planners in the GCC region, contributing to higher natural gas consumption in power generation and reducing the prospects for exports.

   District cooling is increasingly seen as an alternative to conventional cooling due to its lower energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions. District cooling capacity has expanded exponentially in the last decade, and regulatory frameworks are emerging across major cities in the Gulf region.

   The number of state-sponsored and private district cooling providers in the region is increasing, creating a competitive market.

District cooling has come a long way in the last two decades, from literally non-existent capacity to one of the largest and most concentrated capacities in the world.

   In the first part of the seriesl explored how district cooling has evolved in the last two decades, its role in meeting persistent cooling demand without increasing energy production, and its role in emissions reduction.
   District cooling providers shared their journey, examined different challenges and barriers, innovative solutions, and milestones achieved specifically on reducing the overall environmental footprint. Regulators shared their perspectives on how regulatory frameworks have evolved.

Inna Gushcha,

Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economic Theory