Cooling contract signed for Ithra Dubai's One Za'abeel towers

Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) will supply district cooling services to the One Za’abeel following an agreement with the Ithra Dubai, a wholly owned subsidiary of Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD).

Under the memorandum of understanding, Empower will supply 11,000 refrigeration tonnes (RT) to the project, which consists of two attached towers standing at 67 and 57 floors each. The towers are piled on a retail platform with a suspended floor named The Linx, at a height of 100m.

In a statement, Empower said district cooling services will be connected to the project from its Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) cooling plant, which recently saw an expansion to 62,000RT.

The expansion programme made Empower's DIFC facility one of the largest operational district cooling plants in the region.

The two cooling systems will be supplied in three phases, of which Phase 1 will be delivered in July 2019. The project is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2020.

Located near Dubai World Trade Centre, One Za’abeel will also offer luxury residential and duplex apartments, as well as commercial space designed to suit the needs of prestigious offices and major corporate headquarters.

UAE-based ALEC was appointed lead contractor for the project in September last year, with the scope of the contract including site excavation, preparatory works, and the construction of a seven-floor basement.

Speaking on the latest development, Empower’s chief executive officer, Ahmad Bin Shafar, said: “Adding One Za’abeel to our portfolio reflects the confidence of real estate developers in district cooling systems and their role in promoting the concept of sustainable cities.

“This project sits between old and new Dubai, which will help sharing with the visitors a mixed experience of traditional as well as contemporary business styles of Dubai.”

Issam Galadari, director and chief executive officer of Ithra Dubai, added: “This project provides investment opportunities for different segments of society and offers solutions that meet their residential, commercial, and recreational needs.”

Construction Week Online Contribution Time: 06-Sep-2018 11:13 (GMT)
Construction Week Online Last Update Time: 06-Sep-2018 11:14 (GMT)