:: UDC :: Qatar Cool

District cooling is a utility service business that supplies a re-circulating source of chilled water from a central district cooling plant via a network of insulated underground pipes.

UDC identified district cooling in 2003 as a unique and important service for Qatar. The high demand for air-conditioning in Qatar and the national need for efficient use of electrical power coupled with the increased focus on environmentally friendly solutions, offered a long-term business opportunity that correlates with UDC’s vision and portfolio. In 2006, Qatar Cool targeted the new West Bay commercial district of Doha for its district cooling technology, which will supply chilled water to this rapidly developing business centre. To date, Qatar Cool has signed supply contracts with 44 major towers in West Bay to deliver 67,000 tons of refrigeration.

Qatar Cool’s first plant began operations in September 2006 and is presently connected to six towers in West Bay, providing 10,000 tons of refrigeration. The operational plant has a capacity to provide 30,000 tons of refrigeration through chilled water to its clients. Qatar Cool has also begun the construction of a second cooling plant for West Bay. This plant will be operational by the third quarter of 2007 and will provide an additional capacity of 37,000 tons of refrigeration to meet growing demands.

A third plant for West Bay is planned to increase Qatar Cool’s capacity to 118,000 tons of refrigeration.

The second major District Cooling program is for The Pearl-Qatar where all buildings will be connected to the island’s own district cooling system.

Qatar Cool signed a contract with UDC in September 2006 to provide district cooling services for the island, making Qatar Cool the exclusive service provider for The Pearl-Qatar. To meet this demand, construction of the world’s largest district cooling plant has begun. The Pearl-Qatar plant will have a capacity of 120,000 tons when it is fully operational.

A network of insulated pipes are currently being installed in the Porto Arabia district of the island and this installation will be applied throughout the island in several phases as development of The Pearl-Qatar progresses. Full operational capacity will be achieved within the next few years.

Further district cooling projects are planned for the future to exceed the capacity of 600,000 tons of refrigeration. An investment of more than QR 1 billion will be used to develop similar programs in Qatar over the next few years. Qatar Cool will take a lead role to develop these opportunities to further expand operations over the coming years. With supply contracts signed for the next 20 years and a vision for the future, Qatar Cool promises to be a stable, guaranteed revenue stream with exceptional earnings for UDC.

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