The Knowledge Economic City has announced the signing of contract with a consortium of three companies — City Cool, Johnson Controls Arabia, and ADC Energy Systems — to build a chilled water district cooling plant, where the consortium’s services would be based on a “build, own, operate, and transfer” model.
KEC is an upcoming SR3.4 billion ($900 million) master development located in Madinah, comprising a commercial complex, a hotel tower (Hilton), a luxurious residential tower, entertainment centers for children and adults, a sports health club and a boulevard.
The contract will lead to the building of a plant of 21,000 tonnes of refrigeration over two phases at the Madinah Hub area or Multaka Almadinah, to provide cooling services to the mall, the Hilton tower, and the branded residence tower. This endeavor aims to support the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by fostering a dynamic community wherein residents can embrace a healthy lifestyle and thrive in a positive, appealing environment. Johnson Controls Arabia will supply YORK chillers, while ADC Energy Systems will undertake the engineering, procurement, and construction of the district cooling plant. Additionally, City Cool will perform the operation, maintenance, and facility management for 25 years from the operating date with the aim of sustainability and energy efficiency in line with the objectives of the KEC.
The agreement was signed by Mohammed Al-Sheikh Al-Mubarak, CEO of KEC; Abdul Salam Al-Moubayed, CEO of City Cool; Dr. Muhannad Al-Sheikh, CEO of Johnson Controls Arabia; and Ibrahim Suleiman, CEO of ADC Energy Systems. The signing ceremony was attended by numerous senior employees from the four organizations, highlighting their collective dedication to advancing the cooling industry in Saudi Arabia and other regions.
Al-Mubarak said the partnership serves as a testament to the significant progress in the quality of advanced district cooling services in the Kingdom. “At Knowledge Economic City, we are dedicated to delivering engineering solutions that enhance the performance and energy efficiency of our urban projects. Our aim is to transform the Knowledge Economic City into smart, green, and clean spaces, thus hastening the shift toward a carbon-neutral economy. Through the provision of cutting-edge environmentally friendly cooling and air conditioning systems, we are championing innovative urban development while concurrently reducing carbon emissions, enhancing energy efficiency, and safeguarding the environment in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030,” he said.
Al-Moubayed expressed his satisfaction in forging this strategic partnership, highlighting City Cool’s commitment to spearheading an exemplary project in the Kingdom and furthering the efforts to advance the cooling industry within Saudi Arabia and internationally.
Echoing a similar sentiment, Al-Sheikh said: “Johnson Controls Arabia is committed to reducing dependence on traditional cooling models. District cooling or cooling as a service, will revolutionize the cooling industry by delivering impactful and sustainable solutions to address contemporary cooling challenges, thus contributing to a more sustainable future.”
Meanwhile, Suleiman said: “Drawing from our pivotal role in engineering, construction, and the establishment of central cooling systems, ADC is poised to lend its expertise in engineering and constructing cooling plants. This project will bolster our standing and showcase our unwavering confidence in our distinguished expertise within the central cooling industry.”
