The number of district cooling (DC) plants, the most energy-efficient air-conditioning system, operating in Qatar reached 65, as per an official. This will act to enhance State efforts for reducing carbon emissions for addressing climate change and boosting circular economy in the country.
“DC plants with a capacity of over a million tonne of refrigeration (TR) are operating across the country,” said Eng. Jamal Al Derbasti, Director of District Cooling Services Department at Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa). He said there are for example seven DC plants at Qatar Foundation and three plants at Tower Area. He said that DC plants are operating in Lusail City, The Pearl Qatar, Hamad International Airport (HIA) and stadiums of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 among a number of other places. Explaining district cooling plants, he said that it is central AC system providing cooling services using water to a particular area or cluster of buildings and residential complexes. Al Derbasti said District Cooling Services Department has started receiving water quality reports from DC plant operators through its newly launched electronic platform.
He said that the Department communicated with all DC plant operators and conducted a workshop to educate them about the new platform.
Al Derbasti said that DC plant operators are accessing the platform through usernames and passwords which were provided to them.
He said that the new platform requires plant operators to submit water quality reports every three months, to ensure the application of best practices and policies related to water in the operational works of the stations.
Kahramaa has succeeded in contributing effectively to the development of district cooling services in Qatar which made massive contributions in reducing carbon footprint in the country.
As many as 33 district cooling plants were converted to operate using treated water and other water sources for cooling, saving approximately QR129m from desalinated water in 2022.
The total consumption of treated water in district cooling projects reached 13.5 million cubic meters, saving desalinated water during the period of study. The rates of savings in electricity demand using the district cooling system amounted to QR327m which was reflected in the total savings in natural gas used in electricity generation equivalent to QR115m last year.
The district cooling system is one of the most important achievements of the construction industry sector, which highlights Qatar’s commitment to climate action, in line with its National Climate Change Action Plan 2030.
