In Abu Dhabi, Tabreed produces renewable cooling

Given the exceptional heatwaves of recent weeks and growing awareness of the devastating effects of global warming, the carbon footprint of cooling is once again in the spotlight. Widely used individual air conditioners are being criticized for three main reasons: their high electricity consumption, especially during peak heat hours; refrigerant leaks, which drastically increase greenhouse gas emissions; and the continuous release of hot air into public spaces, which intensifies the urban heat island effect. 

In dense urban areas, district cooling networks are emerging as a promising alternative for cooling buildings. According to a study by Fortune Business Insights, the global market could grow from 27 billion US dollars in 2023 to nearly 48 billion dollars by 2032—an average annual growth rate of close to 8%. The Middle East is seen as a priority market, as its extremely high average temperatures increase the demand for such solutions.
Tabreed, a company    40% owned by Engie, has developed the region’s first geothermal-powered district cooling plant. The site, called G2Cool, was commissioned at the end of 2023, just in time for COP28 in Dubai.

G2COOL, the first district cooling project in the gulf region to harness geothermal energy. ©ADNOC

Antonio Di Cecca, COO of Tabreed, explains:  “The system relies on two geothermal wells, each 2.5 km deep. We extract hot water at 90°C from the first well. That heat powers an absorption chiller to produce chilled water for the urban cooling network. Once used, the water is reinjected into the second well, forming a closed-loop system—no waste, no water loss. It’s a renewable, 24/7 cooling solution.”

It is the first time such a system has been used for cooling in the region. Electricity use is 3x lower than it is with traditional air-based cooling. That translates to 3,000 MWh saved and 1,000 tons of CO₂ emissions avoided, enough to cool the equivalent of 150 homes in the sweltering Middle Eastern climate. 
“The plant is right next to Tabreed’s headquarters in Masdar City. It’s a concrete example of our commitment to the energy transition,” Antonio Di Cecca smiles. 

A benchmark in operational excellence

G2Cool was delivered three weeks ahead of schedule and within budget. The project recorded zero safety incidents and received no complaints from nearby residents.

“We were committed to delivering before COP28. The entire project—from drilling tests to procurement, construction, commissioning, and chilled water production—took less than six months. It was a real challenge”, says Antonio Di Cecca. Thanks to a modular design approach, construction itself was completed in just three months.

By combining energy efficiency, technological innovation, and operational excellence, G2Cool is paving the way for more sustainable urban cooling solutions.