New District Cooling Projects & Plants in UAE
A current industry overview of new district cooling plants, major concessions, capacity additions and network expansion announced across the UAE.
The focus is on publicly announced projects and the mechanical infrastructure they create — from plant equipment and CHW distribution networks to ETS rooms and specialist maintenance.
Major New & Expanding District Cooling Projects
The UAE continues to add district cooling capacity through new plants, concession developments and additional building connections. The table below summarizes publicly announced projects and capacities from official operator and government sources.
Palm Jebel Ali — Dubai: Tabreed / Dubai Holding Investments JV, up to 250,000 RT. Construction commenced in Q3 2025, with first cooling capacity targeted by end-2027.
Business Bay — Dubai: Empower's fifth plant, approximately 44,000 RT, with design contract announced in 2026.
Dubai Science Park: Empower plant of up to 47,000 RT, planned to serve around 80 buildings.
Jumeirah Village: Empower's second plant, approximately 37,000 RT, with construction progressing following the 2025 contract award.
Al Sufouh 2: Empower plant of 23,400 RT, with foundation/excavation works awarded.
Deira Waterfront: Empower plant of 39,000 RT, operational since 2025 and serving more than 46 buildings.
Project status is based on public announcements available through August 2026 and should be verified against the operator's latest releases before commercial use.
PAL Cooling Portfolio Adds Significant Future Capacity
Eight Abu Dhabi Concessions
Tabreed and CVC DIF completed the acquisition of PAL Cooling in October 2025. The portfolio includes eight long-term concessions across Abu Dhabi main island and Al Reem Island.
Tabreed stated that the portfolio has long-term site capacity potential of about 600,000 RT, with five operating plants, one under construction and three in planning at transaction completion.
Why This Matters to the Supply Chain
Large concession pipelines typically create multi-year demand for plant expansion, network connections and pre-insulated CHW pipelines, ETS interfaces, valves, instrumentation, insulation, controls, testing and maintenance.
Actual procurement packages depend on each operator, developer, consultant and approved-vendor framework.
Typical Work Packages Created by District Cooling Expansion
Plant Mechanical Works
Chillers, pumps, headers, plate heat exchangers, valves, filtration, dosing, supports and mechanical equipment installation.
CHW Distribution Networks
Pre-insulated steel pipelines, fittings, valves, chambers, field-joint insulation, testing and commissioning. Explore our pipeline contracting services.
ETS & Building Connections
PHEX installation, pumps, flow meters, thermowells, valves, secondary piping and ETS commissioning support.
Specialist Interventions
Pipe freezing & hot tapping, shutdown works, leak rectification, valve replacement and modification of existing systems.
Insulation & Reinstatement
PUF field joints, waterproofing, protective cladding, coatings and reinstatement around chilled-water systems, supported where required by site fabrication & welding works.
Testing & Handover
Pressure testing, flushing, NDT coordination, inspection, commissioning and completion documentation as part of wider PSEMIC mechanical services.
Continue Exploring District Cooling
District Cooling Companies & Operators UAE
Understand the operator landscape and market structure behind UAE district cooling growth.
Explore Operators →District Cooling Suppliers & Contractors UAE
Explore the equipment, materials and specialist contracting supply chain.
Explore Supply Chain →Pipeline Contractor Abu Dhabi
PSEMIC supply-and-install and installation-only capability for CHW, steel and thermoplastic pipelines.
View Pipeline Contracting →Reference Sources
- Tabreed 9M 2025 MD&A
- Tabreed: PAL Cooling & Palm Jebel Ali transactions
- Dubai Media Office: Empower expansion, May 2026
- Dubai Media Office: Empower Q1 2026 updates
Supporting a New Plant, Network or ETS Package?
PSEMIC can review chilled-water piping, mechanical equipment, ETS, welding, specialist intervention and commissioning requirements for Abu Dhabi projects.