Uaq Signs Agreement To Develop District Cooling System For Masar Destination In Makkah

Umm Alqura for Development and Construction Co. (UAQ), the owner and developer of the Masar destination, which is shaping up under the slogan ‘Dedicated to Makkah’ with King Abdulaziz Road as its core component, announced recently the signing of a service agreement with Saudi Tabreed. The agreement aims to provide Masar with 12,000 refrigeration tons of cooling services for three years, which will start upon the completion of the project’s infrastructure as the first phase and run until the establishment of a permanent District Cooling Plant within the destination.

Eng. Abdulmuhsin AlBakr, Vice President of Technical Affairs and Project Development at UAQ, commented: “The Masar destination in Makkah aims to create the appropriate environment for improving quality of life by providing facilities and amenities that help enhance the lifestyle of residents and visitors in the Holy City. Our agreement for the provision of the latest eco-friendly cooling and conditioning systems is a major step towards achieving this objective.” He added: “Saudi Tabreed has a strong track record in offering excellent services leveraging the possibilities of technology, and we are confident that the company will deliver great quality district cooling solutions in order to achieve our overarching goal of making Makkah a modern landmark.”

Mr. Yasser Abuateek, CEO of UAQ commented: “This district cooling agreement meets UAQ’s aspirations to adopt sustainable practices by utilizing available resources instead of establishing a cooling station during the infrastructure development phase. This approach is imperative to achieve operational effectiveness and efficiency in all sectors and drive integration instead of unnecessary competition. The agreement will be materialized by maximizing the benefit of surplus resources, and we hope to extend this model to the electricity, water, and central waste management sectors, among others, to integrate the major projects in Makkah”.

Abuateek noted that the provision of the latest cooling and conditioning systems will enable Masar to significantly reduce the use of infrastructure as well as roof areas for power generators and conditioning equipment. They will also help minimize the consumption of electricity and the emission of greenhouse gases, thereby reducing the destination’s impact on the environment.

Mr. Kamal Pharran, CEO of Saudi Tabreed, stated: “We are proud to sign this agreement, through which we will offer our services to one of the most important future urban development projects in the Kingdom. What makes us even prouder is that Masar seeks to serve Makkah residents and visitors, and we are happy to take part in this endeavor. This partnership confirms our commitment to supporting and serving the needs of the existing and future infrastructure of urban projects in Makkah, in addition to establishing the leading position of Saudi Tabreed in the district cooling sector, which represents a transformation in the Kingdom’s urban development in accordance with the objectives of Vision 2030.”

The district cooling system relies on central stations that provide highly efficient cooling services with reduced energy consumption and costs. The process is carried out through a network of insulated underground pipes that reach buildings and structures located within the network space. The district cooling system consumes around 50% less energy compared to conventional air conditioning equipment, thereby reducing maintenance and capital costs and minimizing carbon dioxide emissions. Furthermore, the district cooling system equipment usually lasts for 30 years or more, which is twice as long as conventional air conditioners. In addition, treated greywater can be used instead of drinking water to further reduce costs and limit environmental impacts.